Ozzie wants to be Ozzie

by The Wizard on Feb 15, 2008 9:38 PM CST in Quotes

Enough sensitivity training says Ozzie:

"I'm getting back to being Ozzie. I'm going to have fun and smile with the players, but if I have to scream at someone, I'm going to do it. I don't [care] if I'm going to be on every TV and people hate me for that. I get paid to win. Last year, I backed off a little bit. I thought players were getting tired of 'There goes Ozzie again.' But if they get tired, good, that's the way I'm going to handle stuff. You want to be a good guy? Be a good guy off the field. I expect my players this year to be mean. You want to take someone under your wing? Take them to the restaurant or something. You see something you don't like, then get on [them]. Don't let me be the bad guy. We need players helping each other, and we have those guys here. It's not an important spring for me. It's important for the team because we don't want to suffer the way we did last year."

and Ozzie's comments from Cowley's article:

"Last year was my fault because I laid back a little too much. I have to be back to being Ozzie -- smile with players, have fun, just get back to what I was. I don't give a [expletive] if everyone hates me. I'm paid to win. ... I just want them to feel -- I'm not going to say the heat -- I'm going to say feel the game, from the beginning. In the past, we had success and we just let it go. I'm not doing this because [of] how bad we played last year. I'm doing this because this is how I like it, even as a player. Mentally and physically, we haven't been ready for the games. We just went about our business and got our work in. ... It's not fun when you have to watch something you don't want to see. We're going to get beat, we're going to have real bad games in spring training. But if I see quality at-bats, quality outings ... I'm not going to come in here and talk to you guys and say, 'Well, he gave up 14 runs, but he got his 55 pitches in. If you don't do your job, I'm going to let you know. You put every inch of what you have to get ready. Hopefully, we can compete and play the game the way we're supposed to play."

and more Ozzie from Gonzales's article:

"But if we win this year, I will be cocky. I was taking things low-key, and this is my job. But if we win this year, I might run naked down Michigan Avenue like people expect me to do. I suffered a lot last year. My family says that when I win, 'Take advantage, because when you lose, you are going to take the blame.'"

More Ozzie inside...

more Ozzie from Chris DeLuca's article:

"It was a big mistake for me to be different. It wasn't me. It wasn't about winning or losing, I just didn't feel I did the right thing. I was low-key, I didn't stress stuff right away. A couple of times I said, 'We'll be OK.' [Expletive] OK, and I went off in Texas. You can only take so much. I never blamed the players. I blamed myself, the coaching staff and Kenny Williams and Jerry Reinsdorf. But it got to the point like, you know what? Look yourself in the mirror. It was too little, too late. ... I don't give a [expletive] what people think about me. I win 200 games in two years, and nobody ever mentions that. Well, if you're not going to give me credit when the team wins ... that made me think, 'Wow, what kind of life are we living?' My team wins 200 games, I didn't have a losing season, and they treat me that way. Then if you're a nice guy, they are going to treat you the same way. [Expletive] it, be an asshole then. I would rather be an asshole winning than be a nice guy [expletive] losing. Give me an asshole who can win, don't give me a nice guy who can [expletive] lose. ... They're right. You cover this ballclub last year, you say, 'Wow, what a nice team to cover.' No, it's not fun to cover a team like that. Well, it's not fun to [expletive] manage a team like that, either. We stunk last year. .. You know what's funny? When you're on the hot seat and you tell your boss how horse [crap] you are. And you tell your boss, 'Hey, man, I should do this different. It's my fault, I let this team go too far.' I let stuff go too far. And then when I put my foot down, it was like, whoa, it's the end of the world. People were saying, 'Aw, that's just Ozzie being Ozzie.' Bull [crap]. I hate the phrase. That's exactly the way I am. ... I go to other cities and I have [reporters] coming over just to see what Stupid is going to say. You don't think I don't know that? I know that. We go to someplace like Anaheim or Seattle or even in Chicago, they want to know what he is going to say. Hey, at least you're there. If you want to know something about me, [expletive] ask me. Do you know how many times I've gotten in trouble with Kenny because I'm honest with people? But, meanwhile, Kenny has to understand I have to face [the media] every day. ... If my [stuff] sells papers every day and we win, well, I want to be on the front page every day. As long as I don't rape anybody, as long a I pay my taxes, I don't beat my wife ... if I am going to be on the front page of the newspaper because of [expletive] baseball, I will take that. If more people treat baseball the way I treat baseball, this [expletive] game will be better."

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Ozzie being Ozzie

LINK

So instead of a big splash, there were ripples -- enough to change the tide, Williams believes

by Brush Back on Feb 15, 2008 11:17 PM CST reply actions

after 3 sentences or so

i can never tell what the hell he's saying.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Feb 16, 2008 10:40 AM CST reply actions

i think that's the point

woo hoo... ozzie is back. maybe we'll take the WS again!

by ruffster on Feb 16, 2008 5:29 PM CST up reply actions

Crede, Williams, Boras

Whose telling the truth, my guess is Crede and Williams

LINK

So instead of a big splash, there were ripples -- enough to change the tide, Williams believes

by Brush Back on Feb 16, 2008 11:56 AM CST reply actions

and kenny responds

[Mark Gonzales]:

In the latest twist to the Joe Crede saga, White Sox general manager Ken Williams said he explored an extension with his third baseman through agent Scott Boras as early as late last season - after Crede's back surgery - only to be turned down.

"We were in Detroit, I called from the bus to see if they were open to the idea of talking multi-year so that Joe wouldn't come into this last year and feel the added pressure, rather than taking the time," Williams said. "But I was told point blank that he was going to be taken into free agency and there was no interest in that discussion. So that's where we left it and we haven't revisited it.''

Williams had a suprised look on his face when he was informed that Crede talked to him this off-season for a clarification.
"He had talked to me?'' Williams said. "No, I haven't spoken to Joe about a contract ... I wouldn't speak to him. I would speak to Scott.''

by The Wizard on Feb 16, 2008 1:52 PM CST up reply actions

What a waste of time

Everyone is the organization, actually baseball, knows Crede is going to get traded. Nothing better to write about?

by Tony82087 on Feb 16, 2008 1:55 PM CST up reply actions

Me thinks Kenny honestly wanted...

Crede at 3B long-term on the cheap (due to coming off an injury) and he would have stuck Fields in LF. That would likely mean no Quentin right now.

I for one am glad that Boras or Crede turned down the offer. But that might change after watching a full season of Fields at 3B, haha.

by SSH2005 on Feb 16, 2008 6:14 PM CST up reply actions

if KW wanted that

he should have made an offer. since he didn't, i'd say he didn't want crede.

by larry on Feb 17, 2008 11:24 AM CST up reply actions

He talked to Boras, not Crede.

by SSH2005 on Feb 17, 2008 1:09 PM CST up reply actions

obviously. so what.

by larry on Feb 17, 2008 1:43 PM CST up reply actions

"But I was told point blank

that he was going to be taken into free agency and there was no interest in that discussion. So that's where we left it and we haven't revisited it.''

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 17, 2008 1:53 PM CST up reply actions

uh huh

sounds like KW really tried. the way you approach that if you really want a player is to at least make an offer. you don't "leave it."

by larry on Feb 17, 2008 1:57 PM CST up reply actions

I think Kw would have pursued

If there wasn't such a dislike for Boras + I would assume in Kenny's head, unless he felt Crede would come back fairly cheap, then Field's was going to be his 3rd baseman anyways.

So instead of a big splash, there were ripples -- enough to change the tide, Williams believes

by Brush Back on Feb 17, 2008 4:30 PM CST up reply actions

PECOTA says sox will suck

but not as bad as last year!

Tribe 89-73
Tigers 89-73
Sox 77-85
Twins 74-88
Royals 71-91

Sox breakdown

RS: 780
RA: 822
AVG: .261
OBP: .322
SLG: .433

http://baseballprospectus.com/fantasy/dc/

a couple things to keep in mind about this projection is that they have crede as the starter and garnering most time at 3B; fields has better numbers, of course. they have fields playing in both corner outfield positions some so he's getting close to 450 PA. also, their back-up for thome, for some reason, is ozuna. who is less than replacement. obviously this is all a "best guess" of who and how players will get playing time and at whose expense. in terms of overall PAs, what they have isn't really all that off-base. i'd say there's a decent argument, though, that the offense could produce a few more runs with fields in and crede gone.

by larry on Feb 16, 2008 12:06 PM CST reply actions

No 90 game win teams in Central

Hmmm - that's intersting, I'm not sure if I agree.

So instead of a big splash, there were ripples -- enough to change the tide, Williams believes

by Brush Back on Feb 16, 2008 12:20 PM CST up reply actions

it's one win off

i wouldn't put too much worry into that. over 162 games, i think a range of wins is a bit better to use than a set target.

by larry on Feb 16, 2008 12:27 PM CST up reply actions

if you're looking to impress

(or take money from) your non-statistically oriented friends and enemies, here's one for you: mariners 73-89. i'd take the over. but then i took the over for the sox last year. bottom line for pecota is 691 runs scored.

by larry on Feb 16, 2008 12:30 PM CST up reply actions

Is this a real..

projection for Seattle? I see them easily taking 80-90 wins this yr esp. with the crap teams out west minus (LAA). This is a joke right? I will take that over any day.

by oldComiskey91 on Feb 16, 2008 1:25 PM CST up reply actions

it's real

and, yes, it does include the bedard trade.

by larry on Feb 16, 2008 1:30 PM CST up reply actions

I wanted to comment on this a week ago.

I know some in our community were upset with the decision to trade prospects to "go" for it. Its crazy up there with adding Bedard to the rotation and predicting less than 75 wins. BP normally takes its abuse for White Sox nation, oh man get ready for worse. I agree on their offense though. It stinks. They better win every game 3-2.

Seattle is probably one of those teams that finishes with an above .500 record but with a negative run differential.

"There is not a liberal America and a conservative America. There is the United States of America."

by Tdogg on Feb 16, 2008 2:26 PM CST up reply actions

more fun with sox projections

the RS is projected eighth in the AL - so pretty decent and very close to two teams ahead of them. RA, however, is 11th (by a fairly large margin, as well - 40+ runs to the twins in 10th)

by larry on Feb 16, 2008 12:43 PM CST up reply actions

Hmmmm

Not as gloomy as normal. Yes it still predicts under .500 but PECOTA does seem to think they have definitely closed the gap.

Again it seems to indicate the Sox are a good starter away.

"There is not a liberal America and a conservative America. There is the United States of America."

by Tdogg on Feb 16, 2008 2:20 PM CST up reply actions

so

what's your criticism of pecota's more nuanced projection, which still projects the tigers and indians offense to be virtually indistinguishable?

by larry on Feb 16, 2008 2:26 PM CST up reply actions

Lol- I was waiting on that

Certainly I put more weight behind PECOTA and it seems to collectively agree more with you. There is still the VORP difference.

When its all said and done I guess we will see. I suspect there is too much regression on the Tiger side. I know you believe its just rose colored glasses on my part but I wouldnt be surprised to see the Sox score more runs then the Indians.

"There is not a liberal America and a conservative America. There is the United States of America."

by Tdogg on Feb 16, 2008 2:34 PM CST up reply actions

we certainly will

they have to play games, of course.

i just recall getting slammed by nearly everyone (i don't think you were part of it, though) for saying after the cabrera trade that i didn't think the trade made the tigers some juggernaut - or even made them a playoff team - and that the indians were still the team to beat. now that we've got some projections out... at any rate, the race in the central looks to be exciting.

for the sox offense to outperform them, they will need to avoid injuries. i'm somewhat pessimistic on that front.

by larry on Feb 16, 2008 2:42 PM CST up reply actions

OT: Liverpool

what an embarrassment -- out of the FA Cup on a loss to a team that's what, 15th in the Championship? Cripes -- they're going to get killed by Inter.

by CWSKeith on Feb 16, 2008 1:44 PM CST reply actions

nope

they'll win. this is what they do.

by larry on Feb 16, 2008 2:24 PM CST up reply actions

told ya

by larry on Feb 19, 2008 3:40 PM CST up reply actions

masset's arm was overtaxed last season...

[Mark Gonzales]:

Masset added his arm feels stronger than it did last year after a taxing 2006 season that started with major-league spring training, pitching at three levels and finishing in the Mexican Pacific League before he reported to the Sox after his winter trade from Texas.

"Having an extended season taxed me," said Masset, who walked 26 in 39 1/3 innings with the Sox before being optioned to Triple-A Charlotte, where he received steadier work.

"I didn't have enough time to recover. I felt good at the beginning. But that little something wasn't letting me go. I wasn't fooling myself."

by The Wizard on Feb 16, 2008 2:10 PM CST reply actions

Insert joke here

"There is not a liberal America and a conservative America. There is the United States of America."

by Tdogg on Feb 16, 2008 2:21 PM CST up reply actions

Thank gosh he's a pitcher

If it was his batting - he would have been overtaxing his stroke

So instead of a big splash, there were ripples -- enough to change the tide, Williams believes

by Brush Back on Feb 16, 2008 3:36 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think Masset's arm was tired...

I just think his arm sucks.

by SSH2005 on Feb 16, 2008 6:16 PM CST up reply actions

from robothal's 10 things to watch in spring...

...training

[Robothal]:

9. Those crazy White Sox: Favorite stop of the tour. General manager Ken Williams will greet me with a scowl, deride me for favoring some other AL Central team and then give an eloquent explanation of his off-season. Manager Ozzie Guillen will go off on a tangent or 12, talking about Venezuelan politics and real-estate prices in Miami and occasionally a little baseball.

I stood last year with Ozzie under the hot Arizona sun, watching left-hander Andrew Sisco throw a bullpen session. Ozzie announced that he would ask Sisco and his other relievers to simply throw the ball straight; their movement was that good. Naturally, the plan proved a disaster, and the White Sox spent a combined $30 million on Octavio Dotel and Scott Linebrink this off-season trying to fix their bullpen.

Another new White Sox newcomer, Cuban defector Alexei Ramirez, will be one of the most interesting stories of the spring. Ramirez, 26, could end up a second baseman, center fielder or super-utility man, but Williams has not ruled out the possibility of him spending a season at Class AAA.

by The Wizard on Feb 16, 2008 9:38 PM CST reply actions

open to prospects in a crede trade?

[SF Chronicle]:

There are indications from Chicago that if the White Sox deal third baseman Joe Crede to the Giants, they will accept prospects in return rather than a big-league pitcher.

by The Wizard on Feb 16, 2008 9:40 PM CST reply actions

Crede says he's ready

Its nice to see the stories start to flow again. This has been a long winter and these make spring seem that much closer.

"I'll be ready," said Crede, without hesitation or pause. "There's no doubt"

Somewhat lost in Saturday's contractual quagmire was Crede's progress in regard to his back. Crede has been in Phoenix since Jan. 15, working with Brett Fisher of Fisher Sports Physical Therapy and Conditioning. He has been hitting since October in his home batting cage, throwing and taking ground balls, trying to ease his way back into action.

LINK

So instead of a big splash, there were ripples -- enough to change the tide, Williams believes

by Brush Back on Feb 16, 2008 10:14 PM CST reply actions

more babbling from ozzie

maybe I should pass this through the google translator...

[chris deluca]:

by The Wizard on Feb 17, 2008 2:11 PM CST reply actions

wow

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Feb 17, 2008 5:47 PM CST up reply actions

Its scary...

He's making sense to me. Last years Oz made no (expletive) sense to me. Now he's (expletive) talking like he (expletive) wants to win again. Its (expletive) good to see some (expletive) fire in his (expletive) stomach again.

So instead of a big splash, there were ripples -- enough to change the tide, Williams believes

by Brush Back on Feb 17, 2008 9:43 PM CST up reply actions