Ozzie Guillén facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ozzie Guillén |
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Guillén in August 2008
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| Tiburones de La Guaira | |||
| Shortstop / Manager | |||
| Born: January 20, 1964 Ocumare del Tuy, Miranda, Venezuela |
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| debut | |||
| April 9, 1985, for the Chicago White Sox | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| October 1, 2000, for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .264 | ||
| Home runs | 28 | ||
| Runs batted in | 619 | ||
| Managerial record | 747–710 | ||
| Winning % | .513 | ||
| Teams | |||
As player
As manager
As coach
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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 Baseball Hall of Fame |
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| Induction | 2011 | ||
Oswaldo José Guillén Barrios (born January 20, 1964) is a Venezuelan-American former professional baseball player. He is also a current manager for the Tiburones de La Guaira team in the Venezuelan League. Ozzie, as he is known, played as a shortstop in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1985 to 2000.
He spent most of his playing career with the Chicago White Sox. With the White Sox, he won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 1985. He also earned a Gold Glove Award for his excellent defense. Ozzie was chosen as an All-Star three times. Many people thought he was one of the best defensive shortstops of his time.
After his playing career, Guillén became a manager. He managed the Chicago White Sox from 2004 to 2011. In 2005, he led the White Sox to win the World Series. This was their first championship in 88 years! He then managed the Miami Marlins in 2012. Ozzie Guillén was the first Latino manager in MLB history to win a World Series.
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Ozzie's Playing Career
Ozzie Guillén was known for being a quick and skilled shortstop. He was part of a group of talented shortstops from Venezuela. These included players like Luis Aparicio, who also played for the White Sox. Ozzie first signed with the San Diego Padres in 1980. In 1984, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox.
Becoming a Rookie Star
In his first year, 1985, Ozzie was named the American League Rookie of the Year. He was also recognized by The Sporting News as their Rookie of the Year. He was only the third rookie shortstop in MLB history to lead the league in fielding. Ozzie was known for his bold and energetic playing style.
For example, in a game on August 2, 1985, against the New York Yankees, the score was tied. Ozzie hit a single and then stole second base. When the next batter hit a single, Ozzie kept running. He surprised the Yankees' defense and scored the winning run.
Overcoming Injuries
On April 21, 1992, Ozzie had a serious knee injury. This happened when he collided with outfielder Tim Raines. He missed almost the entire season because of this injury. The injury also affected his defensive range and how many bases he could steal later in his career.
However, Ozzie came back strong in 1993. He had his best hitting season, with a .280 batting average. He also hit a career-high four home runs and had 50 runs batted in (RBI). The White Sox won their division that year.
After 13 seasons with the White Sox, Ozzie became a free agent in 1997. He then played for the Baltimore Orioles and the Atlanta Braves. In 1999, he helped the Braves win the 1999 National League Championship Series. He hit a key single in the 10th inning of Game 6 to tie the score. The Braves won that game and the series. They later lost in the 1999 World Series to the New York Yankees. Ozzie played one more year with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2000. He retired as a player at age 36.
Ozzie's Player Statistics
In his 16-year MLB career, Ozzie Guillén played in 1,993 games. He had 1,764 hits and a .264 batting average. He also hit 28 home runs and had 619 RBI. He was an All-Star in 1988, 1990, and 1991. In 1990, he won a Gold Glove Award for his excellent defense.
Ozzie was known for being a great defensive shortstop. However, he often didn't win more awards because other famous shortstops like Cal Ripken Jr. and Omar Vizquel played at the same time.
Ozzie's Managerial Career
After retiring as a player, Ozzie Guillén became a coach. He coached for the Montreal Expos in 2001 and 2002. He then coached for the Florida Marlins in 2003, when they won the World Series.
Managing the Chicago White Sox
In 2004, Ozzie became the manager of the Chicago White Sox. Fans gave him a huge cheer at his first game as manager. In 2005, he led the White Sox to win the American League pennant. They then swept the Houston Astros in four games to win the 2005 World Series. This was the White Sox's first World Series win since 1917.
After the 2005 season, Ozzie was voted the American League Manager of the Year Award. He continued to manage the White Sox until 2011. He finished his time with the White Sox with 678 wins and 617 losses.
Managing the Miami Marlins
On September 28, 2011, Ozzie Guillén became the new manager for the Miami Marlins. The Marlins were expected to do well in their new park. However, they finished the 2012 season with 69 wins and 93 losses. Ozzie was let go by the Marlins on October 23, 2012.
Managing Tiburones de La Guaira
In February 2016, Ozzie was hired to manage the Tiburones de La Guaira team. This team plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. He returned to manage them for the 2023–24 season. That season, the team won their first championship in 38 years! He also managed them in the 2024 Caribbean Series.
Other Coaching Roles
In 2022, Ozzie was named the bench coach for the French team. This team competed in a qualifier for the World Baseball Classic.
Broadcasting Career
Ozzie Guillén joined ESPN Deportes in 2013. He worked as a baseball analyst and a panelist on talk shows. He is currently a studio analyst for Chicago Sports Network. He appears before and after White Sox games.
Ozzie's Family Life
Ozzie Guillén married Ibis Cárdenas in 1983. They have three sons: Ozwaldo Jr., Oney, and Ozney. In January 2006, when Ozzie turned 42, he, his wife, and his son Oney became U.S. citizens. Ozzie Jr. is a Spanish-language broadcaster for the White Sox radio network.
Ozzie is also related to his former White Sox teammate Scott Radinsky. Scott is his brother-in-law.
See also
In Spanish: Oswaldo Guillén para niños
- List of Major League Baseball players from Venezuela
