Ozzie Guillén called it “one of the biggest surprises” he’s ever had in baseball.
The former Chicago White Sox player, who as a manager guided the team to the 2005 World Series title, learned just before the bottom of the third inning of Friday’s home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays that the club plans to retire his No. 13.
The tribute will take place Aug. 8, before a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Rate Field.
“I was very surprised, very, very surprised,” said Guillén, who is currently a pre- and postgame TV analyst for the team. “They did it the right way. They made me cry. I don’t cry much, because I know how this moment is so important for my family (and) myself.
“That shows myself (that) the White Sox organization cares what I did for them.”
Guillén will be the 13th member of the organization and first manager to have his number retired.
“Ozzie is truly one of a kind, and his passion for baseball and the White Sox is unmatched,” Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. “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 after an 88-year drought.”
“The number 13 has always belonged to Ozzie in the hearts of our fans, and this season, we wanted to make it official by retiring his number. Like many of the White Sox legends, there will never be another 13.”
Guillén spent 13 seasons as a shortstop with the Sox from 1985–97. He was a three-time All-Star (1988, 1990-91), 1990 Gold Glove Award winner and 1985 AL Rookie of the Year.
He managed the Sox from 2004-11, going 678-617 (.524) in 1,295 games.
The Sox made two postseason appearances (2005, 2008). They went 11-1 during the 2005 postseason on the way to winning the franchise’s first World Series championship since 1917. He became the first Latino manager in Major League Baseball to win a World Series and was named the 2005 American League Manager of the Year.
One of his players from the 2005 team, outfielder Scott Podsednik, shocked Guillén with the announcement.
“One reason why they honored me with this number retirement, PK (former first baseman Paul Konerko) had a lot to do with this,” Guillén said. “All the 2005 team, all the players I managed for so many years here. Obviously that’s the big part of that.
“The numbers, you can put up numbers yourself but when you’re with a group of people and try to make the best for the organization — it’s unique, man. So many people, so many great players never had their number retired for whatever reason. Being there with those big boys is amazing.”
Guillén was optimistic the honor would happen one day.
“In the back of my mind I said, ‘I know it will happen,'” Guillén said. “But I wanted it to happen quick because there are so many guys I’d like to be there. I looked up there a couple of times, (Luis) Aparicio next to Konerko and I’m like, ‘One day, I hope I’ll be there.’
“I know besides my family, people in Venezuela will be proud. … What a great surprise it was.
“I’m happy. I always try to represent the White Sox the best I can all my life. And … I will appreciate that for the rest of my life and obviously my family also.”
