Ozzie Guillen was photographed wrapping his hands around his neck last Sunday in Cleveland, but the White Sox manager insisted Tuesday he merely was continuing his good-natured ribbing with a female Cubs fan sitting behind the Sox dugout and not taunting Indians fans.
“All of a sudden I come down there and the mascot goes like this (wiggling his fingers) and I went (gives the choke sign),” said Guillen, who praised the Cleveland organization Sunday. “Then they took the picture, and all of a sudden it was like after the game I was telling people they choked.”
NO. 23: Michael Jordan likes the Sox’s chances. Appearing Tuesday at Hales Franciscan High School, where Jordan and wife Juanita were introduced as honorary chairs of the school’s $15 million capital campaign, the one-time Sox farmhand said he’s optimistic.
“I really think they have a chance,” Jordan said, confirming he’d be at U.S. Cellular Field for Game 1 against Boston later that day. Jordan played Double-A baseball for current Red Sox manager Terry Francona.
HE GONE: After calling nearly every pitch for the White Sox on TV this year, Ken Harrelson watched Tuesday’s game alone at his off-season home in Orlando. He had offered to contribute to the pre- and postgame coverage of the playoff games, but business concerns required him to return to Florida. That’s just as well, he said.
“If I can’t do the games, I’d rather get away and watch them,” Harrelson said.
BIG HUG: Frank Thomas wore his White Sox jersey Tuesday as he threw the ceremonial first pitch, and he received a big endorsement to return from manager Ozzie Guillen. The Sox are expected to exercise the $3.5 million buyout on the injured slugger in hopes of re-signing him if he is ready for next season. But the Sox need more medical information on his healing foot.
