CHICAGO — Ozzie Guillén’s place in Chicago White Sox history became even more permanent Saturday, as the franchise retired his No. 13 during a pregame ceremony before its matchup with Cleveland.
Guillén, 62, now a lively and familiar voice on White Sox television broadcasts, became the 13th person honored with a retired number by the organization. He is also the first former White Sox manager to receive the distinction. His name and No. 13 were revealed on the façade of Rate Field’s second deck.
Before he became one of the most recognizable managers in White Sox history, Guillén built his reputation on the field. A three-time All-Star, he spent the first 13 seasons of his 16-year Major League Baseball career in Chicago, earning American League Rookie of the Year honors in 1985 at just 21 years old and later winning a Gold Glove in 1990.
Across 1,743 regular-season games with the White Sox, Guillén hit .265 with 24 home runs, 565 RBIs and 163 stolen bases. He later played for Baltimore, Atlanta and Tampa Bay before retiring in 2000 with a career .264 batting average, 28 homers and 619 RBIs.
His second act in Chicago brought an even bigger chapter. Guillén returned as White Sox manager in 2004 and guided the club through 2011, highlighted by the unforgettable 2005 season that ended with the franchise’s most recent World Series championship. He finished his eight-year managerial run with a 678-617 record.
The ceremony carried a strong 2005 championship feel, with A.J. Pierzynski and Paul Konerko introducing Guillén in front of the White Sox dugout. Both were key figures on the team that went 11-1 during that postseason. Several former teammates and players attended the tribute, along with White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.
“I’ve never been nervous playing baseball,” Guillén told the crowd. “I’ve never been nervous managing baseball. But today I am very, very nervous because this is a different moment.
“Today I’m not here as a manager. Today I’m here as a grateful man given this opportunity.”
In a statement, Reinsdorf said: “From the moment he joined this organization in spring training 1985, Ozzie Guillén has been one of a kind.”
Guillén was electric as a player and outspoken, often fiery, as a manager. The Venezuela native never shied away from bluntness – and profanity – in assessing players, plays, games or whatever.
Konerko said Guillén was “passionate” and “never had trouble telling anyone something that was wrong.”
Guillén also managed the Miami Marlins in 2012 and was fired after one season after his team went 69-93. Not only the record, but backlash caused by Guillen’s awkward praise of former Cuban strongman Fidel Castro contributed to his dismissal in South Florida.
On Saturday, Guillén was joined by his wife, Ibis, onstage, with family members including his three sons, seated in front of him. He wore a dark suit with a prominent Venezuelan flag lapel pin.
Meeting with reporters, Guillén called out his Venezuelan heritage and his selection of uniform No. 13 as something linked to the country’s baseball tradition.
He saluted nine-time All-Star infielder Dave Conceptión, who wore No. 13 over 19 seasons with Cincinnati as an inspiration. He called out current Venezuelan Atlanta outfield Ronald Acuña Jr. for continuing with the tradition of wearing No. 13.
“I think 13 belongs to my country,” Guillén said. “And to me in Venezuela 13 is a lucky number and Americans did not believe what a lucky number that is.”
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