Posted on 11/04/2005 4:40:08 PM PST by Chi-townChief
With the World Series trophy in tow, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen flew to Venezuela on Thursday on a private jet furnished by President Hugo Chavez for a weekend tribute in his homeland that will cap a whirlwind week.
Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf supplied a plane for Guillen to fly from Chicago to Ft. Lauderdale, where Chavez's jet was waiting. Venezuelan officials have arranged for the trophy to be guarded by military personnel and transported in an armored car during the visit. Guillen is expected to return early next week when his schedule might begin to ease.
Guillen was so busy being honored by the Chicago City Council and Illinois legislature on successive days that he had to cancel an appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." "There was no way he could physically do it," White Sox vice president of communications Scott Reifert said.
The statehouse experience touched the Sox brass so deeply that Reinsdorf leaned over to Reifert during Gov. Rod Blagojevich's tribute and said, "It still doesn't seem real."
A young girl visiting the capitol with her school burst into tears when Guillen left the building without giving her an autograph. With the help of a state senator, Guillen was made aware of the situation and accommodated the girl with an autograph, a hug and a kiss on the cheek before departing. His flight still returned to Chicago in time for him to be introduced before the Bulls' season opener Wednesday night.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
CHICAGOLAND PING
What's up with this pendejo?
If he is from Venezuela- or even still lives there- what is the big deal?
Guillen doesn't grasp the concept of the CHICAGO White Sox. Too bad.
Ozzie is in Venezula at present. So the world would like to kiss his ass and this bothers people? LoL
If they let him ride next to Bush maybe he won't get shot at.
We're now the World's Team.
What I'm curious to see is if he pulls any crap at the White House if he decides to go. The real White Sox heroes are Contreras and Hernandez.
Oh please. So she cries and gets her way?
Tell Ozzie he can stay there
Iguchi also had a celebration in his honor in Japan- newsflash- many ballplayers don't live in U.S. when the season is over. It's no different than working in Japan, you don't give up the ability to go back and celebrate in the United States.
Ozzie? No way. He and the President will talk in Spanish for a while. After all George is an old baseball guy as is his dad.
I hope so - all I'm saying is that you don't see Contreras and Hernandez running off to celebrate with Cuba's benevolent gusano maximo Castro.
So do the American ballplayers in Japan do that wehn their team wins? Walk around with the American flag over their shoulder, waving it every so often and shouting "U.S.A., U.S.A." ???
Last time I checked Ozzie didn't flee Venezula to play for the Sox. He has expressed his lack of agreement with Chavez over ideology but feels compelled to respect his native land's president.
Since he loves Venezuela so much, and has no respect or appreciation for the U.S.A., he can stay in *%@#%&* Venezuela!!!
Typical of the ingrate "immigrants" we have these days.
Isn't the entire population of Venezuela shortstops?
One of our other Latin-American (is that the right word?) players should have gently reminded Ozzie, "You're in America, cabron. Act like you belong here." I didn't see any other national flags being waved up there nor do I believe Iguchi will get the opportunity to bring the trophy to Japan.
LOL - I have to admit, you got me thinking. However, if I recall, when I was much younger and living in Cleveland (if you call that living, as the joke goes) we had a center fielder named Vic Davilillo who I believe was from Venezuela.
Let's see now...
Jay Leno or Hugo Chavez ???
That'd take about 2.7 seconds to decide.
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