Tagged: Derrick Rose
Spring is just around the corner
How did January go by so fast? Well, February is here and I can’t believe it. And no, I don’t believe in Valentine’s Day, just in case you were wondering. February is always an exciting month because baseball is finally getting started. I can’t really remember an offseason that has been as much fun as this one, not only with the moves the Marlins have made but with the moves everyone has made. There are a lot of good teams out there and teams looking to bounce back from last year. April 4 can’t come soon enough.
I will be heading down to Miami on Feb. 13 for the Marlins charity golf tournament. I know Joey Cora has been practicing a lot so I need to get out there a few days early so I don’t embarrass myself. A couple days before that, on Friday, Feb. 10, I will be doing “Lunch With a Legend” here in Chicago on ESPN 1000 with Waddle & Silvy. I love working with those guys because they know a lot about baseball and sports in general. They treat everyone with respect and I like that. I hope to see everyone out for the event.
I finally made it to my first Bulls game of the year last week. It’s always great to see my old buddy, the guy who got me my first car in Chicago back in 1985, Steve Shanwald. I think it was a Toyota Supra (haha). The Bulls played a great game and Derrick Rose was awesome! I did see that they lost to the Heat, even though it was a great game. It would be very nice if the Bulls and the Heat face off in the Eastern Conference Finals so I can catch some games in Miami.
Back to baseball. Like I always say, every team looks good in January and everyone is optimistic and excited about their team’s chances. Usually this time of year everyone is saying the right things, but you have to go out and play the games. Everyone loves each other in February, but the key is to love each other in September. If you can do that then you are in business. Trust me, I know first hand.
Heading to Chicago soon for a visit
Well, things have not gone according to plan for me. I’m still in Venezuela and all I want to do is go back to Chicago and hang out at the house. I want to see some snow and put on a big jacket and some gloves, because I like that stuff. Before I can go back, though, I need to stop in Miami and finalize the deals on the houses I’m going to live in, one in Jupiter and one in Miami. It’s a little hard when I go house shopping because I like a very specific style of house. I want it to look very modern and away from the traffic, and in Miami that can be hard because traffic can be very bad. I think we have narrowed it down and are going to find what we are looking for.
After we are able to get all of that stuff done, it’s finally back to Chicago. I’m tired of watching the Bulls on TV, so you had better believe I will be at the United Center. They are doing an awesome job even without Derrick Rose, so that’s great. I can’t wait to see a game.
I saw that the Rangers signed that Yu Darvish guy. Good for them. For all of the money they spent on him, I hope he does well for them. Going to back to back World Series is not an easy thing to do. Who knows? Maybe they can make it three in a row. I also heard that Orlando Cabrera is going to retire. I had him with the White Sox (we made the playoffs that year), but also when I was with the Expos. He is simply a winner and always has been. He can be a little different, but he can play. He had a great career.
Well, I hope you guys stay warm in Chicago and for all my people in Miami, keep rooting for the Heat (they will get better) and hopefully the Fish as well. Congrats to all the guys that avoided arbitration; well done, and best of luck to the guys that are challenging.
My birthday is also very soon, but no gray hairs for me yet! January is a very busy month for my family, but no SoxFest this year (haha), so it will be nice to just hang out around the house and relax.
A very busy time
Wow, are the Holidays crazy! The Panama trip was insane, what a special place. I think just about all of you heard that the Winter Meetings went pretty well for the Fish. I’m very happy the Marlins showed the world just how serious they are about winning.
I hope the city of Miami will react nicely to the new Miami Marlins. Of course, one way to take care of that is to win consistently. Heath Bell, Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle will be great additions to our team. Apart from being great baseball players, they are extremely good people and very fun to be around. They also have a lot of stones, so it will be a lot of fun to see.
I can’t remember the last time I was this excited for Spring Training to start. Usually I do it to get away from my wife for a little while, but man, this is going to be completely different. It’s very special. It’s going to be fun, and as I have been saying, everyone on the team just needs to have some fun and win games. That’s what it’s all about.
Today is a big day for Team Pepsi in Caracas, Venezuela. We are having our annual home run derby with the Venezuelan stars. Andruw Jones is also coming in to town because that’s what friends do, they help each other out! Last year it rained, so this year it had better not. I’m hoping and praying for a good day.
I will keep you guys posted with pictures of the event later this week. Very excited to see D-Rose (Derrick Rose) play on Christmas Day!
Enjoying an off day after a great finish to the road trip
What’s up, guys?? Yes, it was a crazy couple of days in Texas and Toronto, but we left Boston on a very high note. Any time you are able to go into Fenway Park and sweep a team as good as the Red Sox it’s pretty awesome. I’m sure all the guys are feeling pretty good. We went 5-5 on another long road trip and, of course, we would have liked to have been better, but all things considered we will take it. We finished by playing what is probably our best series of the season. The pitching was good and the hitting backed them up. Right now, it just feels good to be back in Chicago enjoying a much-needed day off.
Today I’m actually filming the TV show “Iconoclast” with Ruben Blades, who if you don’t know, is a legend. I can’t wait to see my good buddy and get this thing going; it should be a lot of fun!
It’s back to work tomorrow with Detroit rolling into town. It’s a big series, we know, and we will be ready to play. We know we are in a position right now where we can’t afford to give many games up. Now’s the time to try and build on some momentum. Hope to see many of you out at the ballpark during this nice homestand.
On a sadder note, I hope the Bulls are proud of what they accomplished this year and are not ashamed at all. It was awesome what they did because at the beginning of the year nobody expected them to go this far. The Heat were just a little bit better, but I know the Bulls will be back next year ready to go. Congrats to D-Rose, Joakim Noah and coach Tom Thibodeau on a great season. I’m hoping the Sox and Cubs can make the summer even more interesting for the fans!
Ok, now it’s time to enjoy the day off. Talk to you soon!
— Ozzie
I’m SO ready for Spring Training to start!
What’s going on, everyone?? I hope you all are enjoying this crazy weather here in Chicago. This is the first time I have been in Chicago for this long. Usually I leave and run away to Miami, but not this year! My family and I decided it would be best to stay here and enjoy all the snow, but I know you don’t feel too bad for me — I will be in Arizona in a couple of weeks.
I am definitely ready for Spring Training to start so I can see my boys again and catch up with my staff. I already have my house picked out down there. We needed something big enough to fit all the guests I have coming down. If you didn’t know, Joey Cora has been my roommate for almost six years now down in Arizona. It’s pretty interesting, to say the least, and I am sure I will fill you guys in on what I mean once we get down there.
The best part of the beginning of the spring is the energy and excitement everyone comes in with. Also, because we get out so early before the games start, I get to work on my golf game almost every day. So many great courses out there make it a lot of fun. The beginning of Spring Training also has its bad moments, like every single day when I have to talk to the media about the same things. Most of the time, I can’t wait till the games start and we can see what everyone is about.
Before I forget, I want to congratulate the Bears on having a great season, and Lovie Smith for doing a great job. In my opinion, this guy needs to be given more credit; nobody expected them to do anything this year, and look what he got out of his players. On the same note, I have watched a ton of basketball this year and the Bulls look amazing. This kid Derrick Rose is awesome; so explosive. I’m glad Chicago has its next superstar. And I can’t forget about my boy Joakim Noah. I will be watching and rooting the rest of the way.
I have also been watching some golf getting ready for Arizona. I really hope Tiger Woods can get his game back. It is also great to see Jhonattan Vegas playing so well. He is from Venezuela, and I am very proud of him and hope all of Venezuela is as well for competing with the best. Maybe one day he can teach me some things — learning how to slice would be great. (haha)
I also got a chance to watch the Facebook movie, “The Social Network,” the other day. It was very hard for me to understand what they were saying some of the time, but after getting some of it explained to me all I can is… that kid is a genius! Good for him!
Alright, guys, I will be answering some more of your questions later this week. Keep checking the website out for more updates and stay tuned, because Arizona is almost here and I’m ready for this thing to start!!
As always, wake up and go get those dreams and make them reality!
— Ozzie
Sparky, the World Series and the offseason
CHICAGO — What’s up, everyone?I finally made my way back to Chicago and
thought I’d share some things with you all. Man do I love this city,
even though I’m freezing my butt off!
Unfortunately, yesterday the baseball community lost a true legend. Sparky Anderson
was a great man and will truly be missed. I was lucky enough to watch
Sparky manage my favorite teams and player of all-time. Growing up in
Venezuela, the only games I was able to watch were those of the
Cincinnati Reds teams of the ’70s (especially the ’75 and ’76 teams) and
my favorite player, Dave Concepcion. I was also fortunate enough
to play against him when he was in Detroit and would be blessed one day
to have as many rings as he does. A lot of people have been asking me
if I have any Sparky stories, so here’s something I remember — even
though it might be hard for some of you to believe it. Sparky Anderson
intentionally walked me twice in my career to pitch to Sammy Sosa.
Yes, the same Sammy Sosa who hit over 600 home runs — although back
then he still had his Jheri curl and was a little darker (hahaha). Sparky was a great baseball man and will be missed.
I want to congratulate the San Francisco Giants, especially Aaron Rowand, Juan Uribe and Bruce Bochy.
My experience at FOX was awesome, and I can’t thank everyone enough.
But seeing those guys celebrate is what makes me excited to come to
work. I hope I can do it again some time soon. I love this game so much,
I want to be around it whenever I can. Both the front offices of the
Giants and Rangers need to be applauded. I got to the World Series in
’99 with the Braves and know what it feels like to lose. It takes a lot
to get there, and those guys should be proud. I watched a little of the
parade in San Francisco and it was great. those guys won because they’re
carefree spirits. They play the baseball I like to play.
Now that I’m back in Chicago, I plan on seeing a couple of Bulls games like I did last night. (Thanks to all the fans who came up and said hi.) I live close to the United Center and enjoy supporting the young kids they have, like Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose. Plus, I have always been a fan of basketball.
I
also want to go see a Bears game, but I’m not sure it will be here in
Chicago. Us Latinos will freeze out there in this weather. I am planning
on heading down to Miami to see them play the Dolphins. It will be a
lot warmer, but don’t worry, I will be rooting for the Bears. When I’m
in Miami, I enjoy golfing a lot and watching my youngest son, Ozney,
play at his Junior College. I think I’m going to crash at his place and
make him cook for me or something (hahaha). I have a lot of good friends who live in Miami in the offseason. I play golf with Joey Cora a lot and get to see Freddy Garcia
and his kids, who are a part of my family. Even though we try to relax,
we always end up talking about baseball. we Guillens live baseball
24/7, and I even named my dog “DH” after my good friend Harold Baines.
I hope you all got a chance to check out the Jimmy Kimmel
joke about me. If not, you can look at my previous post. It’s very funny
stuff. I read all your questions and comments, and I love it, so please
ask me anything. Don’t be scared (haha). Maybe you guys can
teach me something. It never hurts to listen to advice. Now it’s time to
go relax this offseason with a little music, the beach, and of course
baseball because the chaos never stops!
Talk to you guys soon, very soon.
— Ozzie
Ozzie Speaks 