Thursday, April 12, 2012



Miami Marlins Suspend Manager Ozzie Guillen for Praising Fidel Castro

His remarks were obnoxious and stupid  -- particularly in Miami -- but he is entitled to his opinions as long as they don't affect his work.  But the remarks obviously had a big potential to harm the popularity of the team so I guess his temporary firing was justified.  He's probably lucky he was not booted out for good.
Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen was suspended for five games Tuesday because of his comments about Fidel Castro.  The suspension by the team takes effect immediately. It was announced shortly before Guillen was to hold a news conference to explain his remarks, which caused a public backlash.

Guillen told Time magazine he loves Castro and respects the retired Cuban leader for staying in power so long.

The political firestorm came shortly after the Marlins opened their ballpark last week in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami. The team is trying to rebuild its fan base with the help of South Florida’s large Cuban American population.

Source




8 comments:

Use the Name, Luke said...

I think Castro should be respected…

… the same way a hungry lion, a rattlesnake, or a high voltage power line is respected. Well, maybe not the power line, because it's danger makes it valuable. I don't see a similar value in Castro's danger.

The team is trying to rebuild its fan base with the help of South Florida’s large Cuban American population.

The guy's a genius! Rebuild the fan base by praising the guy most of the fan base hates!

stinky said...

Were his remarks on tape, FWIW? I saw somewhere that he claims the reporter totally misunderstood his initial remarks made in Spanish) and that he says he never said any such thing in the first pace.

Anyone know? Lame excuse/backtrack? Or legit possibility? Just curious.

Anonymous said...

Ah, his opinions do affect his work. A professional athlete's job is really making money for the owners. The competition, wins/losses, stats, etc. are the hook that gets the fan to part with his cash. Alienate a good part of your fan base and you're not doing your job.

Does Ozzie have a right to his opinions? Yes. Do those who disagree with him have a right to their opinions? Yes. Do the owners have the right to fire him if he negatively impacts their business? Absolutely!

Bird of Paradise said...

If that idiot thinks castro is so great then let him ask the cuban disdants living there in florida

Anonymous said...

Has anyone checked to see if Guillen is in the country legally?

stinky said...

Has anyone checked to see if Guillen is in the country legally?

He's a baseball manager; you can throw him out, but he's right back for the next game.

Anonymous said...

Has anyone checked to see if Anon3:39 is in the country legally?

Go Away Bird said...

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