Well, I'm already in Ozzie's doghouse
Okay, I knew doing this blog would get me in hot water at some point. I didn't expect it to be so soon and with a guy whom I love and respect, Ozzie Guillen. You see, I have always gotten in trouble for speaking my mind, because I tell the truth and I have opinions that I'm not afraid to share.
So apparently Ozzie Guillen was offended about the comments I made in a past post concerning his public handling of Gordon Beckham. One thing I'm sure of, Ozzie has never seen or read a single post on my site.
I'm fairly certain that all the Chicago beat writers have been nibbling over my every word just waiting for the one negative thing they could throw out to get a response from somebody with the White Sox organization.
I'm also fairly certain that Ozzie was given a slanted crib-note version of my views and my comments toward his handling of Gordon Beckham. Lastly, I'm certain he has never been told of the numerous times already where I've backed him against some of his not-so-fans!
But Ozzie is as opinionated as me and is as reactive as me and is never afraid to stand up to ANYONE who challenges him. That's what makes him good! To him, my post was a challenge, and he came out fighting. But now it's my turn to set my opinion straight.
The similarities are indisputable. Both were college infield stars and great college hitters. Both were first round White Sox picks. Both were brought up to the big leagues quickly. As far as comparisons go, I feel like I was in the ballpark.
The recollection that Ozzie has wrong is the fact that Robin was a natural third baseman better hitter coming out of college than Beckham. Beckham hit .411 with a nation leading 28 HR's and 77 RBI's in his final season at Georgia! He has always been seen as an offensive infielder first and foremost.
And if you'd ask any person who was with the White Sox when Robin and I came up, Robin was not a gold glover when he was drafted. In fact he had 26 errors in his first full minor league year at Brimingham in 1989. Robin had to work his butt off to become a star defender and consistent gold glove winner.
I should know, I roomed with him during those first few years! And while he was a star offensive threat in college, he only hit .278 with 3 HR's that first full minor league season (500 at-bats).
So Ozzie can be pissed about me questioning his tactics in protecting Beckham from the hype machine around Chicago, that's opinion vs opinion and style vs style. As far as the other stuff goes, I think that the facts speak for themselves and I'll stick by them!
I love Ozzie as a manager, as a teacher and as a friend. When I'm coaching back here in San Diego I find my players asking me where I learned this or that little trick I'm showing them and I find myself saying I learned it from Ozzie Guillen more often than not!
35 Comments
webegeek said:
Jack,
Sorry to see you get shafted on this. I knew from Harrelson's rant that he had not read your blog. The only "shot" you took at Ozzie is his need to blast players publicly, which is low rent in my opinion. Critique in private and praise in public.
Maybe someone on the Sox will actually read what was said and everyone can do a group hug. Stay on the high road, my friend.
Jack McDowell said:
Both Ozzie and Hawk are like me, quick tempered and up for a challenge. You and I know exactly how my supposed comments were given to them..."Blackjack says you're an idiot on his blog!" Probably close to the truth knowing how the beat guys work!
eriqjaffe said:
I was wondering what Jay Mariotti was up to these days!
Brian said:
Beckham also had 3 more homers than Robin in 221 less minor league at bats not to mention a batting average forty four points higher...proves Chicago beat writers never let the truth get in the way of a good story...what I wouldn’t give to be the Hunter Thompson of Chicago baseball writers...
Brian said:
I’m sure Disscontent Jay would be the band leader of sending Beckham back down to Winston-Salem...
starr said:
hey Jack, I happened upon this via a trib link. no comment on the post really, except it made me laugh thinking about the old days and, like you said, how you and ozzie both speak your mind. so you're putting the comm degree to work too. i've often pointed to you & Robin when talking w/young athletes who don't think they have to finish school. hope all is well with you and the fam.
Jack McDowell said:
Hey Starr...funny thing is, all that education and all that experience and I still haven't learned that telling the truth gets you in trouble! I guess I should revert to " God willing, I'll write my best blog ever, and we'll do the best we can!"
Will said:
and to add to what Brian said, he would say that Ozzie ruined Beckham with his childish antics.
Scam said:
Jack:
After hearing Hawks rant on the broadcast today I expected to find an Ozzie bashing on here. Instead I found nothing but great respect for him. However, he did have a point when he stated that Ozzie has played Beckham every day since June 4th. So with that in mind, I'm not sure what your issue with his handling of Beckham is, since he has been doing exactly what you suggested. Maybe I missed something tho. Keep up the good work on the blog.
Jack McDowell said:
If you read the prior post about Beckham...which it seems all of the folks in this manufactured disagreement HAVEN'T, it was just a call to Sox fans to let the kid play and wait to see what happens. My other issue was with Ozzie's seemingly negative public comments about Beckham any time his name came up as a possible call-up etc. I didn't say anything about Ozzie not playing Beckham because he HAS played Beckham. I said that Beckham just needs to play, no matter what. More of a call to Sox fans both pro and negative Beckham to have patience.
Scam said:
Gotcha Jack. Thank you for the quick response. I do find this whole situation quite amusing. You would think people would clear this up with you before insulting you publicly, especially considering who you are. But like you said, those are the type of people Ozzie and Hawk are. I would agree that Ozzie shouldn't change tho. I love having a manager that everyone hates.
Orestes said:
From what I've read and heard, I don't see where Hawk really got your actual point of view...too bad.
But keep it up, you must be "touching" on something in the teams eyes, or they certainly wouldn't waste any time or energy in knocking you down !
The fans deserve a "no BS, here's what I really think " point of view from a guy who has been there.
Jack McDowell said:
As I've said, there's no way they actually read the thing. They were given a quick summation of whatever the reporters WANTED them to think! And then the obvious response! Guys like the three of us...Ozzie, Hawk and I are too easy to play that game with because we are passionate, smart and loyal! Hawk's loyalty to the Sox is the reason his haters exist! Rather have passion and insight than political correctness and BS any day!
JoBo said:
Hey Jack! I heard Hawk mention you on the game yesterday...wanted to say hello. JoBo...from the radio...! Glad you're still stirring up a stink. Can you believe the Cubs fired their hitting coach? Greg Walker is my neighbor...greatest guy in the world! Dwayne Wise makes my skin crawl when he comes up to bat! Keep it up and go Sox!
Orestes said:
That's why I like all 3 of you guys !
I see nothing here to prevent you 3 having a few drinks, a little chat and some good laughs to clear this up...as long as the media is not invited.....again, keep up the good work, it's the passion that separates from the "ordinary" !
pcd71 said:
The problem is that now a days it is a what can you do for me now, not in the next couple of years. Hawk likes to spout off at the mouth like anyone but he has to always say positive things for the team(they are paying his salary). Just because you had an opinion(which was a good one) he has to defend the team. I have no problem with being opinionated but don't always be a "homer". That is what I like about you and Ozzie, say what you feel whether it is positive or negative. For Ozzie though he needs to not throw so many people under the bus sometimes.
JHump said:
Hey, Jack! I really enjoy your insights. I think Josh Fields has had a pretty short leash this year.
I don't blame him for feeling frustrated. He was turning the corner when they called up Beckham. Six days ago Josh was batting .340 in his last 50 at bats (17/50). A few days before that he had just finished a ten game stretch of 13 for 39 hitting (.333) on the day he was replaced by Beckham. I believe it was Konerko or Pods that said it took him 600 AB's in the bigs to get settled. Josh has had 620 AB's. I know, I know, he's a horrible fielder even though he's on a pace to have less errors than Joe Crede did last year (Crede had 20 errors in 95 games).
Jack McDowell said:
Yeah, I haven't been pushing for Fields to be replaced at all in particular. When I mentioned Beckham for the first time this year, Ozzie had gone off in the papers about "these guys better start getting something done or things will change." My whole point was, instead of threatening, put the reality check out there, which is Beckham waiting in the wings. At the time Beckham was playing 2B in the minors. It seemed they shifted him around the infield based on who was struggling on top. It seemed evident they were thinking of bringing him up. I don't know enough about the kid defensively to have a feel where he will settle position-wise in the Big Leagues. That's up to the White Sox brass and baseball guys. My point has been from the call-up that Beckham should just play...don't care where, he just needs to be an everyday player now that he is up.
hotslaw said:
Jack! Love the blog. I think it's funny that Harrelson & Stone feel the need to rip and threaten you over something he obviously didn't read.Then again Hawk is the same guy who still is ragging Jim Bouton some 40 years after Ball Four was published. I expect better from Stone though.
Thank you for your intelligent musings.
Holly Wiggen said:
Hi Jack, great to see you doing this blog. :)
I have a question: when you gave your opinion about Ozzie's treatment of Beckham, did you talk to either Ozzie or Beckham about the topic? I ask for two reasons: one, you are someone who would have access to both those people -- I know Ozzie would take your call, and I'm pretty sure the rookie would too -- and two, we here in Chicago are used to the media, particularly radio jocks and newspaper columnists, having a field day with "controversies" involving Ozzie that are totally lacking in perspective or context. (Mariotti, Couch, Slezak, etc.) The media likes to create drama and then buzz around on it like a 3-year old on a sugar jag.
Lots of times, Ozzie's answers to questions sound like one thing when the question itself isn't given. I don't get the impression at all that Ozzie is against Beckham or that he isn't handling the kid right; I get the impression that Ozzie thinks that the media people who kept asking him breathless, when-can-we-see-the-prom-queen questions about Beckham are annoying. And that's why Ozzie snapped out his comments about the rookie and his place in the scheme of things.
Nobody has mentioned ONE WORD of what the relationship between Ozzie and Beckham is in the clubhouse or in the dugout. Maybe because that wouldn't support these "stories" about how Ozzie dislikes the kid or is mishandling him?
I'm just saying.
Jack McDowell said:
all true. As I mentioned in earlier blogs when people were bashing Ozzie, if he was bad in the clubhouse we'd hear more about it. Bottom line is, he's not. he is respected by his players and he backs his players. I commented from the persepective of a fan who's only insight was what I read in the papers. And I truly had never seen a positive word come from Ozzie about the kid. I just felt he went out of his way to say negative things based on what I had read. Now you're probably right about Ozzie being bothered and baited about Beckham (love the alliteration). But there were rumblings about this topic and I chose to take it on...with my opinion.
Holly Wiggen said:
No, I get that -- I just have heard too much Ozzie-bashing lately and it's getting under my skin. :) Not that Ozzie, or any manager, isn't fair game; and the criticism will be much louder when his team isn't winning, I understand that.
From what I have seen, Beckham is being given a very fair chance to play major-league baseball and to succeed at this level. I am not one of the fans who gave the kid a standing O on his first appearance at the plate -- I would rather see a player accomplish something before I cheer, I don't applaud them just for having a pulse -- but I will be delighted if he is anything like what Robin Ventura was for the White Sox organization.
(You and Robin both should do more broadcast appearances, by the way, Jack. What will it take to get you into the booth? Would you do the ALDS? ALCS? World Series, of course!)
Hillerich N. Bradsby said:
Considering theat a good pitcher prepares every game, about every player he'll face and every pitch to work, I'd say his head is in the game. That said - I go with Jack. He KNOWS the game. As for Ozzie, he is the demoralizing manager on the South side in a long time! When his mouth isn't screwing up team morale, his incoherent managing tactics are. He allows his starters to get bombed before removes them (has to demorailze their confidence; leaves statistical leaders on the bench when they should be playing somewhere every day [yes Thome CAN play 1B too); and in general can't figure out how to SET a lineup, let the team "Gel" together and most importantly win! 2005 is Old news. The way that team played, the ghost of Al Lopez could have managed them to the WS Championship. Time for an ozectomy.
Jack McDowell said:
In reply to managing in general...there are many times that a starter NEEDS to be left in a game to get his butt shelled to save bullpen innings and give it up for the team cause. Remember the game when I flipped off Yankee stadium? That was exactly the case. We had lost three starters to injury and I was the only established veteran starter. Thus I became the "innings eater" no matter what! I was going to pitch 7 innings even if I gave up 10 runs. That was just my role. After three less than stellar starts, I was booed mercilessly while getting my butt kicked by my former team...the Sox! I was pissed off because I was sacrificing my own stats for the team cause, and my home town New Yorkers, those of the supposed greatest knowledge of the game, were busting my butt for it. Don't worry about confidence! Also, Thome is a bit more fragile right now to have him in the field much and Ozzie needs to keep the bat in the lineup as much as possible for the course of the season. And it is near impossible to set a lineup when guys don't perform consistently. Just a couple of tidbits for you.
Heave the Hawk said:
Jack,
Check out heavethehawk.com today.
Hawk is an ignorant fool. I don't see what the big deal is.
Wallace
jblickem said:
BlackJack, just wanted to chime in having just read your response to Ozzie's comments. Two things; First, I question your timing and decision to write about this subject at all. Four weeks ago Kenny Williams was forced to make a decision regarding Josh Field's inconsistent play while giving him every chance in the world to get hot and not force a hand. If Ozzie comes out singing the praises of Beckham while Fields is on his last leg, you'd be blogging about how Josh is being treated unfairly surrounding rumors of Bechkam, and maybe he just needs more time (i.e. the slack Robin got, 0-41).
Secondly, whether you meant to or not, this is a shitty time for someone like you to stir the pot. The division isn't out of reach and while I expect this open criticism from the usual suspects, I'm disappointed to get it from you.
Also, nobody cares how much time you spent hanging out with Robin... and all your insider tid-bits about Mr. Ventura. With respect to your Cy and your time with the Sox... you couldn't hold his jock.
JBlickem
Jack McDowell said:
Angry little uninformed fan are we? Timing my ass, while Ozzie was chirping in the papers about "things are gonna change if these guys don't get it done", I was calling for Beckham to be called up to actually CALL THE BLUFF! At the time Beckham hadn't played a single DAY at third base in the minor leagues. This isn't about Fields vs Beckham. And as far as stirring the pot, if you go and actually read the post that caused all this fuss...IT'S A JOKE that everyone has reacted this way. This had nothing to do with stirring the pot. This was just basic fan interpretation of the daily quotes that are shown our way. And what you missed with the Ventura comparisons and insight...was the truth in it all. Do you not believe in stats sir? I don't care if I could hold his jock or not...I'm correct. Prove me otherwise with something valid and I'll gladly bow down to your all-knowing views.
JB98 said:
Jack,
I agree with you on two things: 1) Beckham needs to play every day and 2) Fields is NOT a difference maker. That said, I don't see why Ozzie's comments in the paper about Beckham are any big deal.
To me, Ozzie was trying to protect Beckham from overinflated expectations coming from the fans and some media. This is a struggling team, and it's just not realistic to think that Beckham can ride to rescue and save the season. Ozzie knows this, and I think he made those comments to prevent people from thinking that we're going to win the division now just because Beckham is here.
As a Sox fan, I don't want beat writers hovering around Beckham's locker, asking him what went wrong every time he goes 0-for-4. That only increased the pressure as he tries to establish himself playing for a big-market team in the big leagues. Ozzie's comments may seem harsh, but I think he was trying to send a message to everyone outside the locker room that Beckham isn't God. He's going to take his lumps, just like your buddy Robin did when he first broke in.
Jack McDowell said:
All true. I agree. I just think that Ozzie went overboard to downplay it! When I kept reading all the stuff I kept thinking...just give the kid some credit, you're making him sound like he's just overrated and an a-hole! I know by now that Ozzie has his players backs, but the line between deflecting expectations, and true negative talk was truly blurred here in my opinion. But Ozzie is not the most subtle or smooth of conveyers. But it has all made for good fodder about an issue that many folks were thinking other than me. And, if Ozzie's comments in the papers are not any big deal, how the hell are mine a big deal?
Jimmymac120912 said:
Jack,
Wow, I signed into chicagonow.com on Saturday morning and it did not seem like anyone knew about the site or your blog. Maybe you should thank Hawk for his tonuge lashing on you. The truth of the matter is you are not the first or last Ozzie will disagree or lash out on! How do you like my avavtar? Is there any chance Jim Mcmahon can write a blog on the Bears? That would be interesting and procative.
Jack McDowell said:
Actually it was just a publicity stunt. Wow, I'm as good an actor as Eminem...and I didn't have to get an ass in my face!
JTG said:
Ozzie Guillen is one of those guys who would be washing windows if it wasn't for the kid's game of baseball. He should thank his lucky stars for his baseball talent. I just don't like Ozzie. I don't like how he kisses his teenage sons on the mouth after winning a game, I don't like his inability to speak english correctly after being in America for 30 years, and I don't like the way he handles young players. Ozzie is horrible at it. Given the team's payroll, I think the majority of managers in MLB would have this team at their current record or better. You may love Ozzie as a teacher but he certainly doesn't teach the young players, like Gordon Beckham, anything other than how to deal with a bruised ego. It's time to bury the old white sox. This is 2009, head cases like Ozzie need to go.
Jack McDowell said:
Wow, from your "speaking English the right way" comment I would imagine that the only sport you watch is golf! Ozzie is an intelligent guy and would be fine wherever he was. I think that this generation of managers is at the forefront of having the best managers the game will have ever seen. In past generations managers and coaches have come back to or stayed in the game because financially they needed the job! That's not to say that there haven't been great coaches and managers then but nowadays guys are coming back strictly because of their passion for the game. Their financial stability will allow them to manage more "out of the box" because they won't give a crap about their job stability other than to win games THEIR WAY.
Gene-Paul Kelly said:
if you have fault with a man kissing his son after the greatest moment in his baseball life, then you have bigger issues than being a cub fan.
Especially when it's it's socially acceptable for a father to kiss his son in Venezuela.
Jack McDowell said:
Carlton Fisk used to kiss his son Casey on the lips. I learned a ton of things about being a father from that man. Anyone have a problem with Pudge?
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