{"id":4427,"date":"2026-04-04T01:50:48","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T01:50:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/?p=4427"},"modified":"2026-04-04T01:50:48","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T01:50:48","slug":"white-sox-surprise-ozzie-guillen-by-retiring-his-no-13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/?p=4427","title":{"rendered":"White Sox surprise Ozzie Guillen by retiring his No. 13"},"content":{"rendered":"


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There have been few things in baseball that have reduced Ozzie Guillen to tears. This was one of them.<\/p>\n

The long-time White Sox<\/a> player, World Series-winning manager and beloved broadcaster was caught by surprise Friday during the early innings of the CHSN telecast when one of his former players on the 2005-title winning team, Scott Podsednik, read from a statement announcing that the ballclub was retiring Guillen\u2019s No. 13.<\/p>\n

The number will be retired in pregame ceremonies on Aug. 8, the club announced.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s one of the biggest surprises I\u2019ve ever had in baseball,\u2019\u2019 said Guillen, of an honor that gained impetus last year during the 20th anniversary celebration of the 2005 team, when numerous former players said he deserved it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess [the White Sox] did it the right way, because they made me cry,\u2019\u2019 Guillen said. \u201cI know how important this moment is for my family, myself. That shows you, shows myself that the White Sox cared what I did for them.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Guillen, who began his big-league career with the White Sox in 1985, said he originally asked for the number 9, but was told he could not have it because it had been worn by Minnie Minoso and was retired. Guillen then asked for No. 13, worn by his baseball hero and fellow Venezuelan shortstop, Davey Concepcion of the Reds.<\/p>\n

He said he hopes that Concepcion, who will be 78 this summer, will be able to attend the retirement ceremony. He also is looking forward to the team\u2019s 90-year-old owner, Jerry Reinsdorf, being there as well. \u201cI just talked to Jerry a few minutes ago,\u2019\u2019 Guillen said. \u201cHe said, \u2018I did want to see you cry once.\u2019 \u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Guillen has made a lasting impact on the organization in multiple ways.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been lucky in Chicago, man,\u2019\u2019 he said. \u201cA lot of people knew me as a manager, a lot of people knew me as a manager, and a lot of kids know me as that crazy guy on TV.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Guillen, naturally, delivered a classic Ozzie-ism when describing how much Reinsdorf means to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never deny it, I love Jerry Reinsdorf more than my own dad,\u2019\u2019 Guillen told a media scrum gathered at the back of the press box during the game. \u201cYou know why? My dad, every time he calls me, he asks me for money. Jerry makes me money.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Burke delivers<\/h3>\n

Few people would quibble with Reinsdorf\u2019s assertion that the Sox need to pitch better. The Sox came into the game having allowed 52 runs in their first six games. That\u2019s the most they\u2019ve surrendered in the first six since 59 in 1995. Before the game, GM Chris Getz insisted things would get better.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe certainly don\u2019t need to get ahead of ourselves and start, you know, doing significant interventions,\u2019\u2019 Getz said, fielding the usual questions about top pitching prospects Noah Schultz, Hagen Smith and Tanner McDougal.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo have three significant like that at the Triple-A level is very comforting \u2026 but we certainly don\u2019t feel like it\u2019s the right time to bring those guys.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Grant Taylor and Sean Burke made a compelling case against panic Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n

Taylor, serving as opener, set down the defending AL champion Jays in order in the first, and Burke, after yielding back-to-back doubles to start the second, did not allow another run in six strong innings, with a total yield of four hits and no walks while striking out seven.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think just in general, coming off a bad week of baseball, I really wanted to go out there in front of our home fans\u2026not necessarily to quiet any noise or anything like that. Our bullpen has been working hard, and I just really wanted to give us some length.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

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The Sox beat Toronto 5-4 after rallying in extras. <\/p>\n

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