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Pablo Ozuna: In Memoriam

Vdeqm2pr_medium

January 19, 2005 - July 8, 2008

Star-divide

ah, memories. actually, i don't have very many memories of ozuna other than him just kind of running around like a headless chicken and grounding out weakly. and snapping his leg but still legging, ahem, out the hit. of course, he was a part of one of the most (in)famous incidents in white sox history: the doug "i saw a clear change in direction" eddings phantom dropped third strike, as he pinch ran for AJ and eventually scored in game 2 of the alcs. other than that, i had to go to wikipedia which had this to add:

 

On May 3, 2006, Ozuna hit a 2-out game tying home run in the bottom of the ninth, forcing the game into extra innings after a blown save by Cliff Politte. In the bottom of the 11th, Ozuna had another two out hit, a bouncer up the middle that he stretched into a double. His heads up play allowed Juan Uribe to bat in the winning run with a soft fly ball to short left center.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Ozuna

please add your memory - or at least your name - to the guestbook below.

from the ozunamaniac who updates wikipedia entries:

Ozuna can play all three outfield positions and all four infield positions. General Manager Ken Williams has joked that he would consider playing Ozuna at catcher if needed.


In 2007 Ozuna was injured in a game against Tampa leading off the 1st inning. The White Sox were 24-20 -or- .545 and could never push a better winning percentage throughout the 2007 season.


Ozuna was sent down for assignment on July 8th 2008 due to GM Kenny Williams' hope in Juan Uribe's .206 average to remain constant as it has for the past 2 years. The Sox sent Ozuna down for assignment justifying, Uribe was able to play all three infield positions (presumably unlike Ozuna), even though Ozuna played more games at 3B and 2B than Uribe has had in the past 3 years.

Never was down about lack of playing time and when given time with the Sox, batted .290. His heart and love for his teammates will never be forgotten

amen, brother. amen.

SouthSideSox is a community driven site. As such, users are able to express their thoughts and opinions in a FanPost, such as this one, which represents the views of this particular fan, but not necessarily the entire community or SouthSideSox editors.

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other than that ALCS SB

I can only remember one other play. Walk off bunt in the 10th against Oakland. Frank Thomas’ first game back, I think.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA200605220.shtml

Pablo, just like all the other greats, you hung on a little too long…

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on Jul 8, 2008 2:46 PM CDT   0 recs

You stole mine.

That game was also the one that Mack tied with a 2 run shot in the 8th off of Street… one of the few games where his bat actually showed more value than BA’s glove.

by Trooper on Jul 8, 2008 2:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yea gotta be that one

how long before john and jordan danks sit atop the brothers home run list?

by furby2056 on Jul 8, 2008 3:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Wasn't he involved in a suicide squeeze that won a game?

He either laid down the bunt or was the one running from third… or am I totally off base here?

I believe in Harvey, Illinois

by Hazymania on Jul 8, 2008 2:55 PM CDT   0 recs

The one Nordhagen said was a 2out bunt single with AJ scoring from 3rd.

Swish! was playing first and Pablo said he saw he was playing back, so went with the bunt.

by Trooper on Jul 8, 2008 3:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hmm

Well the one I’m thinking of is definitely not from this season, but it’s still refreshing to know that whenever a potentially disastrous bunt was in order, Pablo was our man!

I believe in Harvey, Illinois

by Hazymania on Jul 8, 2008 3:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

wait

Swish was playing first AGAINST the Sox. Color me stupid.

I believe in Harvey, Illinois

by Hazymania on Jul 8, 2008 3:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Everybody gets a little hazy sometimes.

Although, I did just buy a 5000 color box of crayons for my niece—i bet there’s a ‘stupid’ in there.

by Trooper on Jul 8, 2008 3:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

did it have Burnt Sienna?

When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...

by Chiburb on Jul 8, 2008 3:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Red-Orange

AND Orange-Red!

I believe in Harvey, Illinois

by Hazymania on Jul 8, 2008 3:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

like larry's avatar?

cool!

When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...

by Chiburb on Jul 8, 2008 3:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Chiburb

When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...

by Chiburb on Jul 8, 2008 3:02 PM CDT   0 recs

i was really hoping that this post would just turn into a bunch of people posting their usernames.

kind of like how you sign the book of that great-aunt who was always nice but, you know, you saw her like twice a year when you were a kid and just remember how she took out her teeth and you don’t want to put that down.

If there's a baseball equivalent to "never fight a land war in Asia," Vizzini might tell us "never buy the decline years of a player."

by larry on Jul 8, 2008 3:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

we need someone to make a commemorative video

using all of pablo’s highlights of his brilliant career with the white sox…you know all the times he’s helped us win a game with a phenomenal defensive play….or came through with that clutch hit…or even just rallying the troops as he watched on from the bench…being a leader through and through..

wait what the fuck am i talking about!!

we love ya pablo

how long before john and jordan danks sit atop the brothers home run list?

by furby2056 on Jul 8, 2008 3:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

that'll be a short video

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on Jul 8, 2008 3:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

haha

that’s exactly the one I tried to post

epic fail for me

I believe in Harvey, Illinois

by Hazymania on Jul 8, 2008 3:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well...

it’s not like the YouTube search brought up many options. Who’s gonna post the Spring Training stolen base video?

gonna out-energy a lot of guys, simply by over-attituding them

by defensive indifference on Jul 8, 2008 3:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I went for the embed

That was my mistake.

I believe in Harvey, Illinois

by Hazymania on Jul 8, 2008 3:59 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

THEY WON ON A BUNT

NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!

how long before john and jordan danks sit atop the brothers home run list?

by furby2056 on Jul 8, 2008 3:53 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

By the way,Trooper and Nordhagen

If that’s the game you guys were talking about, that wasn’t the one I meant, the one I was talking about had the runner coming from third in motion.

To be fair, I don’t even know if Pablo was involved in the play, but it seems to me like he was.

I believe in Harvey, Illinois

by Hazymania on Jul 8, 2008 3:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hmmpphhgghgh.... bbblllluuuuurrrrrrrgh!!!

Whoa.

freakin’ Cloverfield camerawork made me hurl.

We’ll miss you, Pablo. Sorry about the mess.

by ReservoirDog on Jul 8, 2008 4:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Not to mention dude's

unfortunate “n-bomb”.

by sti3 on Jul 8, 2008 4:23 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, that was really unsettling

and now it’s on youtube for the whole internet connected world to hear. Poor bastard – but not really.

When Pablo’s name shows up in the lineup, I die a little inside. - OM

by rhythm on Jul 8, 2008 5:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

here's one

I believe in Harvey, Illinois

by Hazymania on Jul 8, 2008 3:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

oops

uhmmm

I believe in Harvey, Illinois

by Hazymania on Jul 8, 2008 3:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM

by colintj on Jul 8, 2008 3:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM

by colintj on Jul 8, 2008 3:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

haha

what the fuck is that thing? a hat or a paper towel?

I believe in Harvey, Illinois

by Hazymania on Jul 8, 2008 3:59 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

GOB is trying to throw an envelope into the ocean

I think I have the gif somewhere actually.

are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM

by colintj on Jul 8, 2008 4:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

hahaha

how long before john and jordan danks sit atop the brothers home run list?

by furby2056 on Jul 8, 2008 4:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

this is pablo's memoriam, buster.

i don’t want to see any more of this tomfoolery on this guestbook. and get off my motherfucking lawn.

If there's a baseball equivalent to "never fight a land war in Asia," Vizzini might tell us "never buy the decline years of a player."

by larry on Jul 8, 2008 4:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

oh lare.....

how long before john and jordan danks sit atop the brothers home run list?

by furby2056 on Jul 8, 2008 4:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's the insurance check!!

hahahaha

I believe in Harvey Dent

by homesickalien on Jul 8, 2008 7:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Can't find the gif, but I do have another GOB macro

are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM

by colintj on Jul 8, 2008 4:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

you want to get kenwo4life@aol.com-ed?

do ya? because i won’t hesitate, chief.

If there's a baseball equivalent to "never fight a land war in Asia," Vizzini might tell us "never buy the decline years of a player."

by larry on Jul 8, 2008 4:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

i don't really know what that entails

are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM

by colintj on Jul 8, 2008 4:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

it's like a reverse super side vermont BAing. only ten times more destructive.

If there's a baseball equivalent to "never fight a land war in Asia," Vizzini might tell us "never buy the decline years of a player."

by larry on Jul 8, 2008 4:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

oh shit!

how long before john and jordan danks sit atop the brothers home run list?

by furby2056 on Jul 8, 2008 4:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

My azzle just shrieked in terror

are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM

by colintj on Jul 8, 2008 4:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

you better watch yourself, son.

after i kenwo4life@aol.com you in front of all your friends, you’ll really have something to take those meds for. your own mother won’t recognize your azzle.

If there's a baseball equivalent to "never fight a land war in Asia," Vizzini might tell us "never buy the decline years of a player."

by larry on Jul 8, 2008 4:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

i just sent him an email fwiw

are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM

by colintj on Jul 8, 2008 4:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

just to see what happens

are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM

by colintj on Jul 8, 2008 5:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

post it.

"I was going to take it easy on you and make it fast, but then you had to go and play the fucking hero."

by Toonderstrook on Jul 8, 2008 5:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

SUBJECT: Hey Dude!

MSG: You are the wind beneath my wings.

are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM

by colintj on Jul 8, 2008 5:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

nice play!

damn near pissed my pants, colintj. Back to form you are!

When Pablo’s name shows up in the lineup, I die a little inside. - OM

by rhythm on Jul 8, 2008 5:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

haha

that’ll do

I believe in Harvey, Illinois

by Hazymania on Jul 8, 2008 4:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

have a heart LARE

are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM

by colintj on Jul 8, 2008 3:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I got great pleasure out of referencing An American Tale while referring to him

as THA SECWET WEAPON!!!

You will be missed deeply, PO.

are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM

by colintj on Jul 8, 2008 3:08 PM CDT   0 recs

....tear

how long before john and jordan danks sit atop the brothers home run list?

by furby2056 on Jul 8, 2008 3:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

From my recap of the game in question

Pablo Ozuna has powers comparable to Wonderboy

The play of the night - maybe the most surprising play of the year - had to be Pablo Ozuna’s 9th inning HR. Somewhere on the internets I joked, mocking someone who acted like a return trip to the World Series was guaranteed to the White Sox, that I couldn’t wait until Ozuna hit his first ever HR to win a game of the 2006 World Series. I never actually believed that Ozuna would ever hit a HR. Let alone a 2-out, 9th inning, game saving, homerun. One that he hit so far he stared the thing down as it left the bat. Unbelievable. I’m actually a little disappointed the AP doesn’t have a picture of Ozuna posing anywhere on the internet. I think even caught the photographers by surprise. They were probably all changing their film.

It’s so rare that I have the opportunity to say this, but Hawk and DJ provided some insightful commentary tonight. They both remarked, as they have in the past when we’ve played the Mariners, that their outfielders were playing too deep. Tonight, however, was the first time I’ve seen it come back to bite the M’s.

Pablo Ozuna smacked a groundball just out of reach of the SS and 2B, and was able to turn that grounder into a double because Jeremy Reed was playing so deep and half-assed it on the way in. One play later, the M’s were back at what I would call ‘no doubles’ depth, and Juan Uribe blooped one into short right center - again in front of Reed - scoring Ozuna from second to win the game for the Sox. Ozuna got into scoring position, and scored, based almost solely on the outfield depth.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Jul 8, 2008 3:13 PM CDT   0 recs

That in 3 1/2 seasons this is all folks can come up with says it all.

A handful of highlights, most from failed seasons.

RIP

When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...

by Chiburb on Jul 8, 2008 3:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

My other favorite is this one, where both Uribe and Ozuna sucked, and I was still way down on Alexei

Changes Loom as Sox Skid Hits 6

Javier Vazquez would have gotten the complete game loss if not for a terrible play by Ozuna, which Hawk called a “great effort by Ozuna” without the slightest hint of sarcasm.

With the Sox down an run and the bases loaded in the ninth, Ozuna grounded into a first-pitch hope-killing 1-2-3 DP. Which of course led Cowley to speculate that Uribe would be gone.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Jul 8, 2008 3:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

the last sentence is classic!

When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...

by Chiburb on Jul 8, 2008 3:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

winningugly

I enjoyed his butchery of the 3B postion, and the LF position, and any other position he might’ve played. His most recent E5, botching a sure double play, was classic. He then (IIRC) proceeded to smack a double in the same game.

Or his recent Dybzynski moment – pinch-running, then quickly getting picked off.

Pablo taketh away, and he giveth, usually with the same hand. Pablo, we barely knew ye.

CWS: Slashing negative expectations since May, 2008.

by winningugly on Jul 8, 2008 3:43 PM CDT   0 recs

One Man Nation

A great nickname lost on a terrible player.

by Off the bus running on Jul 8, 2008 3:43 PM CDT   0 recs

Defensive Indifference.

You were not as good in the clubhouse as Willie Harris. But I will still miss ya, lil’ guy.

gonna out-energy a lot of guys, simply by over-attituding them

by defensive indifference on Jul 8, 2008 3:56 PM CDT   0 recs

gonna out-energy a lot of guys, simply by over-attituding them

by defensive indifference on Jul 8, 2008 4:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Didn't Willie Harris pinch run for

AJ in the 2005 ALCS game?

by chrome on Jul 8, 2008 4:14 PM CDT   0 recs

blast femur.

(he ran for someone in the WS though (everett maybe)

by Trooper on Jul 8, 2008 4:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

harris got the basehit in game 4 before jd drove him in

how long before john and jordan danks sit atop the brothers home run list?

by furby2056 on Jul 8, 2008 4:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

ah, correct you are.

I remembered him scoring the run, guess my subconscious wouldn’t let him have the glory of getting on base himself as well.

by Trooper on Jul 8, 2008 4:23 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

so now you're questing my memories.

can’t we just think about the good times and not worry about pointing fingers about who is right about things like “factual events”? i think that’s how pablo would want us to remember him.

you’re on my list for a kenwo4life@aol.com-ing, chrome.

If there's a baseball equivalent to "never fight a land war in Asia," Vizzini might tell us "never buy the decline years of a player."

by larry on Jul 8, 2008 4:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It was Pablo, the consumate ballplayer, after all.

I should have known better than to question the abilities of Pablo, he of the ‘doing all the little things’ family, and, heh, I tell ya partner, he does em right.

Godspeed Pablo. May Hawk chuckle softly at every mention of your name, your legacy in his mind only a small step below The Great One.

by chrome on Jul 8, 2008 4:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

the secret weapon could bunt.

listen into 670 this afternoon as moron after moron calls saying “they just lost the best bunter on the team”.

small ball. ozuna’s biggest attribute was that he made people believe we could compete using small ball.

by hugh on Jul 8, 2008 4:26 PM CDT   0 recs

Actually, I'd say his biggest attribute was being small,

thus making people believe he could play ‘small ball’.

by chrome on Jul 8, 2008 4:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

the best bunter on the team is adam russell.

we all know that. he’s a seventeen tool athlete who can play all twenty-two positions. and he cooks a mean jambalaya.

by larry on Jul 8, 2008 4:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

jambalaya

no shit. that alone makes him worth more than ozuna. i wonder if we can convince him to meet us after a game for jambalaya

by hugh on Jul 8, 2008 4:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

after games are tough for adam.

he has to fly to afghanistan to do his second job. which is hunting for osama bin laden. your days are numbered, buddy.

by larry on Jul 8, 2008 4:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs