02/18: Ozzie Apologies
Posted by: James
What did I say? "I'm sure that in a week or two, we'll hear that Ozzie was misquoted or that the quote was taken out of context." It's actually only been a couple of days but lo and behold, Guillen scheduled a press conference to "apologize":
If he had so much respect for him, why did he say it in the first place? I don't mind people speaking their opinions. That's one of the greatest freedoms that this country offers. However, I also believe that most people would be better off thinking of the Golden Rule before they open their mouth. I think that applies in this case, especially with an apology that comes off as nothing more than self-serving publicity. Ozzie, please stop talking - people don't seem to mind this sort of thing as much when it is coming from a winner but they won't tolerate it if you were sitting in second place in the Central division and out of the playoffs.
"I apologize to Alex, his family, his fans, the New York Yankees organization, to the White Sox organization, because that's the first time I feel I did something wrong," Guillen said at the Kino Sports Complex. "I've done a lot of controversial things before, but I started this one and I'm going to finish it."
Guillen clarified his use of the word "hypocrite," saying the word isn't perceived as harshly in Latin America as it is in the United States....
"I will say what I feel," Guillen said. "I just took the first shot. To me, I never thought I was going to do that, and to me it's ugly because I know a lot of people have taken the first shot at me and I come back real strong. If Alex wants to say whatever he wants to say he has the right. He can call me anytime he wants. I'm not going to feel badly if Alex comes out and says what he wants to say. I think I should take the second punch the way I [would throw] a second punch. . . "Like I said, it was embarrassing because I have a lot of respect for Alex."
Guillen clarified his use of the word "hypocrite," saying the word isn't perceived as harshly in Latin America as it is in the United States....
"I will say what I feel," Guillen said. "I just took the first shot. To me, I never thought I was going to do that, and to me it's ugly because I know a lot of people have taken the first shot at me and I come back real strong. If Alex wants to say whatever he wants to say he has the right. He can call me anytime he wants. I'm not going to feel badly if Alex comes out and says what he wants to say. I think I should take the second punch the way I [would throw] a second punch. . . "Like I said, it was embarrassing because I have a lot of respect for Alex."
If he had so much respect for him, why did he say it in the first place? I don't mind people speaking their opinions. That's one of the greatest freedoms that this country offers. However, I also believe that most people would be better off thinking of the Golden Rule before they open their mouth. I think that applies in this case, especially with an apology that comes off as nothing more than self-serving publicity. Ozzie, please stop talking - people don't seem to mind this sort of thing as much when it is coming from a winner but they won't tolerate it if you were sitting in second place in the Central division and out of the playoffs.
