What a long, strange trip it was for Ozzie Guillen as manager of the Chicago White Sox. In eight up-and-down seasons on the South Side of Chicago, the mercurial Guillen led the White Sox to two American League Central titles and, of course, a World Series championship. He’ll probably be most remembered though for his off-the-cuff remarks and eccentric behavior.
On Tuesday, Guillen was released from his contract by the White Sox after a disappointing season. Fortunately for him, it doesn’t appear as if he’ll have to wait too long for his next managerial gig. Guillen is expected to be named the new manager of the Florida Marlins shortly after Jack McKeon announces his retirement on Wednesday.
Whether the Marlins are making a wise choice with the hire is debatable, but the young Marlins squad will certainly have an interesting time adjusting from McKeon to Guillen.
The hire means that Bo Porter will again have been passed up for the job in Miami. The Washington Nationals third base coach first interviewed for the opening in 2010 after the firing of Freddi Gonzalez. Porter interviewed for the vacancy on Monday, but it appears it was for naught. Whether Davey Johnson decides to return to D.C. is unclear despite the Nationals’ solid finish to the season. And if he is, it’s not uncommon for there to be changes to bench and position coaches. Hopefully Porter is back and around to help the Nats build on the momentum they’ve fought so hard to establish down the stretch.