Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
Ozzie Guillen was introduced as the Florida Marlins’ manager at a news conference before their final game of the 2011 season and last ever at Sun Life Stadum.
“Welcome to a new era in Marlins baseball,” owner Jeffrey Loria said, referring to his new manager and his new stadium that will be ready for the 2012 season.
“I’ve know Ozzie for 20 years and I could not be happier that he’s going to lead us into the new stadium.”
Guillen said he was “very excited” and said it was a “big, big step in his career.” He called the move to Miami “a new chapter” but said it was a “great one in Chicago.”
A source told ESPNChicago.com’s Bruce Levine that Guillen will receive a four-year deal with the Marlins.
Manager Jack McKeon said Monday he planned to retire at the end of the season. Hours later, Guillen announced he was leaving the Chicago White Sox after eight seasons, including a run to the World Series title in 2005.
Guillen had a year left on his contract, and White Sox general manager Ken Williams confirmed Tuesday that the club had an agreement with another team for compensation for the manager.
The Marlins will send two minor leaguers, including right-handed reliever Jhan Marinez, to Chicago, the source told ESPNChicago.com’s Levine. MLB.com reported that infielder Osvaldo Martinez is the other player.
The outspoken, sometimes outrageous Guillen is the Marlins’ fourth manager since early 2010, and his relationship with management could create some off-the-field excitement. Strong-willed Joe Girardi lasted only one season with Florida in 2006, clashed with owner Jeffrey Loria and others in the organization, and was fired shortly before being chosen NL manager of the year.
The Marlins are leaving the stadium where they’ve played since their first game in 1993, and will move into a new ballpark next spring as the Miami Marlins. The franchise planned a big ceremony in conjunction with the final game of the season Wednesday against the Washington Nationals.
“All the pieces are coming together,” slugger Mike Stanton said. “We got the stadium, and we got the manager.”
Several Marlins players said the tell-it-like-it-is skipper would be a good fit for the team.
“That’s probably something we need around here,” Stanton said. “Let us know, and don’t beat around the bush. It’s better than doing it behind your back. He’s going to come right to you.”
Left fielder and Twitter sensation Logan Morrison was impressed to hear Guillen blogs along with tweeting, and does so in two languages.
“Now I need a blog, probably two,” Morrison said. “And I’ve got to learn a foreign language in the offseason. I’ll have to follow him. If I don’t, I might get fined.”
WRITTEN BY: Information from ESPNChicago.com’s Bruce Levine, ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark and The Associated Press was used in this report & FULL STORY HERE
