Ozzie Guillén Getting His Number Retired, and He Still Can't Believe It
The Chicago White Sox are retiring Ozzie Guillén's No. 13 this summer, and honestly, the guy is still processing it. The 62-year-old former shortstop and manager got emotional when the team made the announcement Friday, admitting he was completely blindsided by the honor.
"I was very surprised," Guillén said. "Very, very surprised. They made me cry for them."
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This is a massive deal for White Sox history. Guillén is the first manager ever to have his number retired by the organization. He'll be the 13th member overall to get that honor, joining two of his 2005 World Series championship teammates, Mark Buehrle and Paul Konerko, who already have their numbers retired.
Owner Jerry Reinsdorf didn't hold back in his statement, saying Guillén's passion and ability to motivate his teams delivered a World Series championship to Chicago after an 88-year drought. That 2005 title came after Guillén spent 13 seasons as a player for the Sox from 1985 to 1997, then eight more years managing the team.
"Ozzie is truly one of a kind, and his passion for baseball and the White Sox is unmatched," Reinsdorf said. "Ozzie's knowledge of the game, combined with his energy and ability to motivate his teams, helped deliver a World Series Championship to White Sox fans and the city of Chicago."
The Number and the Legacy
Here's a fun detail: Guillén wore 13 because that's what his hero, Davey Concepción, wore. It's not exactly the most popular number in baseball, but Guillén made it stick. During his playing days, he won the 1985 AL Rookie of the Year Award, was a three-time All-Star, and picked up a Gold Glove in 1990.
The retirement ceremony is set for Aug. 8, and Guillén is thrilled his kids and grandkids will be there to watch, along with Reinsdorf. Currently, Guillén works as a pregame and postgame host for White Sox games on television, so he's stayed woven into the fabric of the organization.
"The White Sox organization care about what I did for them," Guillén said. "Obviously the fans, the media. But to me, the most important is what the White Sox think about what I did for the organization, all my work."
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