Ozzie Guillen's recent comments

[RaysFan_98]

Ozzie was suspended by the marlins for 5 games.

[CokeMachineGlow]

His quote was translated from Spanish to English and there must have been some kind of overlap. You shouldn't be suspended for speaking your mind and being misunderstood.

[SamtheBravesFan]

His quote was translated from Spanish to English and there must have been some kind of overlap. You shouldn't be suspended for speaking your mind and being misunderstood.

I don't think he was misunderstood. The context, according to one ESPN article, is that he was admiring Castro for persevering over the years despite being hated so much. That's something to which he relates.

Even with that context, it's very, very hard to ignore that he admires a dictator in some way.

[RaysFan_98]

I can see this turning into how the Marlins are preventing free speech and blah blah blah

[SamtheBravesFan]

I can see this turning into how the Marlins are preventing free speech and blah blah blah

Preventing free speech, my behind. People can say whatever they want; that is not an issue. What they have to worry about is the backlash from what they say. Guillen's words have potentially serious consequences for the Marlins organization, and he seems to understand that now.

[CokeMachineGlow]

I don't think he was misunderstood. The context, according to one ESPN article, is that he was admiring Castro for persevering over the years despite being hated so much. That's something to which he relates.

Even with that context, it's very, very hard to ignore that he admires a dictator in some way.

Spanish doesn't translate directly into perfect English grammar and context can be skewed significantly. Guillen himself is very stressed out by the situation and didn't really expect this kind of backlash. I think the whole thing is a huge misunderstanding.

[UnderPressure]

Off-topic: I understand that Ozzie was introduced as the Marlins manager before te 2011 season ended, so did he manage the few remaining games last year for the Marlins?

[jnakamura]

His quote was translated from Spanish to English and there must have been some kind of overlap. You shouldn't be suspended for speaking your mind and being misunderstood.

"Fidel Castro, he's a bull--dictator and everybody's against him, and he still survives, has power. Still has a country behind him. Everywhere he goes they roll out the red carpet. I don't admire his philosophy. I admire him."

--Ozzie Guillen, Mens Journal, 2008

It's hard to buy Ozzie's backtracking when this isn't the first time he's praised Castro in a public article.

[CokeMachineGlow]

"Fidel Castro, he's a bull--dictator and everybody's against him, and he still survives, has power. Still has a country behind him. Everywhere he goes they roll out the red carpet. I don't admire his philosophy. I admire him."

--Ozzie Guillen, Mens Journal, 2008

It's hard to buy Ozzie's backtracking when this isn't the first time he's praised Castro in a public article.

Hm, I may be wrong then.

[theAmazingMet]

Hey Guillen is entitled to his opinion. It's a free country, and there's a thing called the First Amendment (free speech).

Just think of all this hatred for Castro precipitated one of our own Presidents getting murdered. Because the CIA tried to assassinate Castro, Kennedy left them hanging on the Bay of Pigs and then began working toward eliminating the CIA altogether, which in turn contributed to the internal decision within the CIA to turn around and kill Kennedy themselves!

All this contempt for some dude with a beard on an island out in the Caribbean.

Well seeing as how he invited the soviets to deliver nukes to his island that could have hit the continental US and nearly caused a nuclear holocaust, as well as leaves half his country in poverty I think the contempt for him is well founded.

[theAmazingMet]

No we don't . . .

No more theories or personal opinions on Cuba and/or political policies, please. As always. Thanks.

Sorry, I replied before I read this. On the topic, I'm glad he was suspended for 5 games. Truely idiotic to say those comments. Who gives a crap what he thinks, but dumb to alienate his own fan base.

[Imapotato]

And teh Soviets did so because we placed nukes in Turkey

I find it ironic that descendents of the regime ousted by Castro who used power,influence and money to place sanctions and embargoes on Cuba are the ones up in arms. he stated something not so controversial but due to misquotes by our biased,incompetent and lazy mass media....is being persecuted. A tactic Castro used often in the 70's to get rid of dissentors

[Zito75]

Hey Guillen is entitled to his opinion. It's a free country, and there's a thing called the First Amendment (free speech).

This is true - but there is a difference between free speech and using that as a crutch to be a jerk... This guy just craves attention!

[jnakamura]

....he stated something not so controversial...

Baloney.

For the manager of MLB team, based in a city made up of 50% Cuban-Americans, saying on not one, but TWO separate occasions, that he loves and admires Fidel Castro and not realizing that that would be a controversial statement is very naive on your part.

Ozzie wasn't misquoted. He admitted saying it.

There might be room for doubt if this was a one-time occurrence...but it wasn't. He said it in 2008, and said it again in 2012--both times in public, not private conversations. To me, and many others, that seals the deal and proves where his true feelings lie.

He's only saying what he's saying now because he HAS to in order to save his job--NOT because he didn't really mean what he said.

[drdg]

Spanish doesn't translate directly into perfect English grammar and context can be skewed significantly. Guillen himself is very stressed out by the situation and didn't really expect this kind of backlash. I think the whole thing is a huge misunderstanding.

THAT is so CORRECT
I remember a few years ago when ozzie call one of his players a maricone and loco
for spanish speakers that is nothing, it just a way of saying hi or hey bro
but if you translate that into american english
the first word, you just don't call any man in a 25 men team that
and the other word translates into crazy
the head lines on the news were that ozzie stated that one of his players
was not only crazy, but that he also question the player choice of sexual partners
TOTALLLY and COMPLETELY WRONG

HECK, even the Queens English sometimes doesn't translate into american english
here in nyc a while back
a british tourist ask a person that was smoking a cigarette
if he could have one.
but the tourist use the slang word that they used in england for cigarette
the new yorker did not like the word (same translation as maricone above) and beat up the tourist
No charges were file as it was a complete misunderstanding

[jnakamura]

THAT is so CORRECT
I remember a few years ago when ozzie call one of his players a maricone and loco
for spanish speakers that is nothing, it just a way of saying hi or hey bro
but if you translate that into american english
the first word, you just don't call any man in a 25 men team that
and the other word translates into crazy
the head lines on the news were that ozzie stated that one of his players
was not only crazy, but that he also question the player choice of sexual partners
TOTALLLY and COMPLETELY WRONG

HECK, even the Queens English sometimes doesn't translate into american english
here in nyc a while back
a british tourist ask a person that was smoking a cigarette
if he could have one.
but the tourist use the slang word that they used in england for cigarette
the new yorker did not like the word (same tranlation as maricone above) and beat up the tourist
No charges were file as it was a complete misunderstanding

Apples and oranges.

Ozzie's English skills aren't bad enough to "misunderstand" what he said and meant in 2008, and again last month.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Apples and oranges.

Ozzie's English skills aren't bad enough to "misunderstand" what he said and meant in 2008, and again last month.

Colin Cowherd made that point this morning, as well.

The poor English skills might be an acceptable excuse if Guillen had not been working in some capacity in MLB for over a quarter-century.

I think what has been "misinterpretted", perhaps, as is common with quoted language regardless of the native speaker is Guillen's take. He is not advocating the Cuban model of government or Castro's tactics but the fact the man has been there 50 years plus. Which is kind of like admiring Hitler for his public-speaking skills.

You're in South Florida. There are certain things you don't say.

[drdg]

Baloney.
For the manager of MLB team, based in a city made up of 50% Cuban-Americans, saying on not one, but TWO separate occasions, that he loves and admires Fidel Castro and not realizing that that would be a controversial statement is very naive on your part.

Ozzie wasn't misquoted. He admitted saying it.
There might be room for doubt if this was a one-time occurrence...but it wasn't. He said it in 2008, and said it again in 2012--both times in public, not private conversations. To me, and many others, that seals the deal and proves where his true feelings lie.

He's only saying what he's saying now because he HAS to in order to save his job--NOT because he didn't really mean what he said.

typical ozzie
for talking without thinking
maybe,just maybe now he will learn his lesson
YES, he did say that what came out of his mouth, was not what he was thinking
even stated that he was thinking in spanish,but answered in english
but that that was no excuse, and he takes FULL responsibility

this is the press conference, man did he take a beating from the cuban/spanish media
http://deportes.univision.com/beisbo...dgetUimStage:2
in spanish and english from univision

and the edited version from mlb
http://miami.marlins.mlb.com/video/p...nt_id=20501759

he even had to answer as to WHY he said viva chavez,during a photo opp after winning the WS

and what is sad is that very latin player no matter where they are from
are being ask what they think about what ozzie said
it is mass hysteria for sports media in miami
can't wait to see what will come out of this or happens
on friday april 13 for the marlins game at home

[9RoyHobbsRF]

didnt the orioles or some team play in cuba a few years ago and wasnt there a handshake between castro and either the orioles owner and/or selig?

why was that not a controversy?

a little follow up there was a game in havana in march of 1999 and selig and angelos and castro sat together

I guess you can sit with him and play his team but not say anything nice about him

weird

[jnakamura]

didnt the orioles or some team play in cuba a few years ago and wasnt there a handshake between castro and either the orioles owner and/or selig?

why was that not a controversy?

a little follow up there was a game in havana in march of 1999 and selig and angelos and castro sat together

I guess you can sit with him and play his team but not say anything nice about him

weird

Shaking hands with someone out of courtesy is not even close to being in the same boat as saying you love and admire them.

This is fine...

obama-gaddafi-handshake-091709-lg.jpg

Obama saying, "I love the guy! I admire Khaddafi", would be grounds for impeachment.

See how it works?

[theAmazingMet]

And teh Soviets did so because we placed nukes in Turkey

I find it ironic that descendents of the regime ousted by Castro who used power,influence and money to place sanctions and embargoes on Cuba are the ones up in arms. he stated something not so controversial but due to misquotes by our biased,incompetent and lazy mass media....is being persecuted. A tactic Castro used often in the 70's to get rid of dissentors

And you being from Cuba can speak for them yes?. The captain has already stated to leave the politics out.

[9RoyHobbsRF]

shaking hands is not all that was done

travel to the country supposedly off limits and playing a 3 hour game and sitting in the same box with him for three hours and all you got out of it was a 3 second hand shake

some things never change

[jnakamura]

shaking hands is not all that was done

travel to the country supposedly off limits and playing a 3 hour game and sitting in the same box with him for three hours and all you got out of it was a 3 second hand shake

some things never change

How is sitting together in a stadium box for a few hours an endorsement of love or admiration?

When Khrushchev met with JFK there were handshakes and smiles, and they spent many hours together. Again, If JFK said he loved Khrushchev or admired Khrushchev he would have been crucified for it.

If you can't see the difference between meeting a dictator and exchanging pleasantries and saying you LOVE them and ADMIRE them, then you're out of touch.

[doctor_gogol]

Interesting! Guillen exercising his right to free speech, expresses admiration for a regime that eliminated free speech, only to have his free speech punished by people who oppose the tyrant who eliminated free speech.

No irony to see here! Move along!

[doctor_gogol]

"Fidel Castro, he's a bull--dictator and everybody's against him, and he still survives, has power. Still has a country behind him. Everywhere he goes they roll out the red carpet. I don't admire his philosophy. I admire him."

--Ozzie Guillen, Mens Journal, 2008

It's hard to buy Ozzie's backtracking when this isn't the first time he's praised Castro in a public article.

Ummm... thats not praising Castro.

Yeah, Castro is a douchebag! But his ability to persevere 50+ years is impressive.THAT is what Guillen was saying. Not: Yippie, hooray, yahoo for Castro!

People get too emotional and outraged and stop being analytical.