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FYI, Ozzie Guillen was suspended for five games today without pay due to his Castro comments. Any thoughts?

My thoughts are that he needs to STFU. I don't like managers that think they are bigger than the great game itself.

Cocktails and Dreams wrote:My thoughts are that he needs to STFU. I don't like managers that think they are bigger than the great game itself.

The guy is a tool. Amazing he landed another job after showing his anticts in Chicago. No GM will be able to put up with him for multiple years. I predict he is out of the game inside 3 years. Five games was nothing for these stupid comments and more are sure to follow. The guy doesn't have a clue.

I watched the press conference today as I am off and he went between English and Spanish but ESPN was smart enough to have one of their translators there. He kept saying that the reason he said what he did was the interpretation between English and Spanish. Huh? If you said it, you said it right? At least he apologized, but I bet that Marlins mgmt told him one more uproar like this and he's out, which is too bad for some of his players that specifically went to the Marlins because of him, i.e. Jose Reyes, Zman, and Buehrle among others. Being from Chicago, albeit a Cubs fan, I wish Ozzie the best, but he made a huge mistake...

Is what he said really that bad? I mean he did call the guy a SOB. Unless what I see is an edited version all he said was he respected Castro because he's stayed alive, that isn't support of his politics or anything else.

Beyond that what is wrong with respecting the leader of another country? It's not like Castro is dropping bombs on Cuban citizens or oppressing half of his population (women in Saudi Arabia)? It isn't hard to argue that US trade embargos have done more damage to the Cuban people than Castro ever did. We continue to punish the Cuban people as we pander to Cuban expats in Florida. The suspension of Guillen is just another example of our pandering.

We send food to North Korea, that is North Korea that needs food because its government builds a military rather than take care of its citizens. For Cuba we do nothing and in fact through our embargo and by forcing other countries to follow it we actually cause harm.

The suspension is a joke and just another symbol of our continued idiotic support Cuban expats in Florida.

mhest wrote:Is what he said really that bad? I mean he did call the guy a SOB. Unless what I see is an edited version all he said was he respected Castro because he's stayed alive, that isn't support of his politics or anything else.

Beyond that what is wrong with respecting the leader of another country? It's not like Castro is dropping bombs on Cuban citizens or oppressing half of his population (women in Saudi Arabia)? It isn't hard to argue that US trade embargos have done more damage to the Cuban people than Castro ever did. We continue to punish the Cuban people as we pander to Cuban expats in Florida. The suspension of Guillen is just another example of our pandering.

We send food to North Korea, that is North Korea that needs food because its government builds a military rather than take care of its citizens. For Cuba we do nothing and in fact through our embargo and by forcing other countries to follow it we actually cause harm.

The suspension is a joke and just another symbol of our continued idiotic support Cuban expats in Florida.

Seriously? you have got to be kidding me with this ignorance. Ozzie said "I love Fidel Castro". He should be fired and I guarantee you that the protests in Miami will give the Marlins no choice but to fire him.

And what you are saying is just another case of someone who just doesn't understand. I have family down in South Florida who are very close to several Cuban immigrants, and the torture and cruelty that Castro has caused to his own people for half a century is reason enough that your comments are just another example of American ignorance.

Yeah, he shouldn't be suspended for stating an opinion.

From MLB.com,

Guillen was quoted in a Time magazine article that appeared online Friday as saying he loved Castro.

"I respect Fidel Castro," Guillen said in the article. "You know why? A lot of people have wanted to kill Fidel Castro for the last 60 years, but that [expletive] is still here."

Major League Baseball, which earlier said it was reviewing the possibility of disciplining Guillen, issued a statement by Commissioner Bud Selig.

"Major League Baseball supports today's decision by the Marlins to suspend Ozzie Guillen," Selig said. "As I have often said, baseball is a social institution with important social responsibilities. All of our 30 clubs play significant roles within their local communities, and I expect those who represent Major League Baseball to act with the kind of respect and sensitivity that the game's many cultures deserve.

"Mr. Guillen's remarks, which were offensive to an important part of the Miami community and others throughout the world, have no place in our game."

In the environment (lower Florida) that Ozzie is in, you have to respect what they have been through and why they dislike Castro so much, thus the reason for the uproar...

ChiScottieBaseball wrote:From MLB.com,

Guillen was quoted in a Time magazine article that appeared online Friday as saying he loved Castro.

"I respect Fidel Castro," Guillen said in the article. "You know why? A lot of people have wanted to kill Fidel Castro for the last 60 years, but that [expletive] is still here."

Major League Baseball, which earlier said it was reviewing the possibility of disciplining Guillen, issued a statement by Commissioner Bud Selig.

"Major League Baseball supports today's decision by the Marlins to suspend Ozzie Guillen," Selig said. "As I have often said, baseball is a social institution with important social responsibilities. All of our 30 clubs play significant roles within their local communities, and I expect those who represent Major League Baseball to act with the kind of respect and sensitivity that the game's many cultures deserve.

"Mr. Guillen's remarks, which were offensive to an important part of the Miami community and others throughout the world, have no place in our game."

In the environment (lower Florida) that Ozzie is in, you have to respect what they have been through and why they dislike Castro so much, thus the reason for the uproar...

From TIME MAGAZINE:

"I love Fidel Castro," Blurts Ozzie Guillen, the new manager of the Miami Marlins, in his Jupiter, Fla., spring-training office before an early-March team workout.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/artic ... 50,00.html

What if his opinion was that he loved that SOB Hitler because he was able to stay in power for as long as he did even though so many people hated him? Or Bin Laden pre-2011 because we had all these people looking for him but can't find him?

I realize it's a reductio ad absurdum argument, but people in public-facing positions get fired for stupid opinions all the time. This isn't a 1st Amendment issue. This is Public Relations 101.

Hells Satans wrote:What if his opinion was that he loved that SOB Hitler because he was able to stay in power for as long as he did even though so many people hated him? Or Bin Laden pre-2011 because we had all these people looking for him but can't find him?

I realize it's a reductio ad absurdum argument, but people in public-facing positions get fired for stupid opinions all the time. This isn't a 1st Amendment issue. This is Public Relations 101.

Bingo!

Hells Satans wrote:What if his opinion was that he loved that SOB Hitler because he was able to stay in power for as long as he did even though so many people hated him? Or Bin Laden pre-2011 because we had all these people looking for him but can't find him?

I realize it's a reductio ad absurdum argument, but people in public-facing positions get fired for stupid opinions all the time. This isn't a 1st Amendment issue. This is Public Relations 101.

EXACTLY!!!! And the fact that he said it as the "Miami" Marlins manager will be the beginning of the end for him. The public outcry will be too much for the Marlins to bear. He has the right to say anything he wants. And Miami has the right to fire him, as well.. which is what they should do.

My Friend, Wally Backman, got fired because of public outcry 8 years ago after 2 days on the job. It is just amazing how the press can run with something. In this case it's pretty clear what Ozzie did. In Backmans case, it was not and most will never know the real truth in his firing, regardless of whats been reported. What Ozzie said was completely wrong and no one will ever understand why he would say somthing so stupid. Odds are he will get fired before the suspension ends, unless "he figures out something dramatic" to make amends to those who are offended. Funny how things turn out, Backman was mgr in waiting for the white sox, when they decided it would go to Ozzie eventually. Backman left the white sox for Dbacks once he knew the plan. Backman is once again a mgr. in waiting....
Not knowing anything as of now, I do know there was interest by the Marlins in Backman the past 2 years...and I'm just speculating now, but if Ozzie goes the Mets may be faced with having to make a tough, fast decision, cause the plan has been for 2 years, Backman will get the Mets job. If Ozzie goes, i think the Mets mess up again and Backman goes to the Marlins.

ozzie is just a person that loves to hear himself talk. we all know one. the press loves a guy like ozzie because sooner or later he is going to say something stupid. the guy just can't help himself. doubt he lasts the year. fyi- buerle did not go to miami because of ozzie- he went for 50 million other reasons. in fact- he probably went in spite of ozzie- knowing ozzie wasn't going to make it.

They have every right to fire him. Wether they do or not is anyone's guess. That community will not stand for it. Way to go Ozzie, you just diverted all of the attention from the team (major free agent spending) and the grand opening of a new stadium that "The community" helped pay for.

The guy doesn’t know when enough is enough. He loves to hear himself talk. This isn’t even the first time he has made similar comments about Castro…..

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/11806414-5 ... -2008.html

I will give him just the smallest of credit today. I think this morning was the first time I’ve ever heard Ozzie fully accept blame for something that he has said or done. In the past he has always qualified his apologies by referencing his dual language as an excuse or outright putting the blame on others. At least today I think he final got it, but only time will tell………

mhest wrote:Is what he said really that bad? I mean he did call the guy a SOB. Unless what I see is an edited version all he said was he respected Castro because he's stayed alive, that isn't support of his politics or anything else.

Beyond that what is wrong with respecting the leader of another country? It's not like Castro is dropping bombs on Cuban citizens or oppressing half of his population (women in Saudi Arabia)? It isn't hard to argue that US trade embargos have done more damage to the Cuban people than Castro ever did. We continue to punish the Cuban people as we pander to Cuban expats in Florida. The suspension of Guillen is just another example of our pandering.

We send food to North Korea, that is North Korea that needs food because its government builds a military rather than take care of its citizens. For Cuba we do nothing and in fact through our embargo and by forcing other countries to follow it we actually cause harm.

The suspension is a joke and just another symbol of our continued idiotic support Cuban expats in Florida.

agree 100 %. Your opinion may not be popular (much easier to blame big mouth Ozzie) but you are not alone sir. You raised some very valid points.

mhest wrote:Is what he said really that bad? I mean he did call the guy a SOB. Unless what I see is an edited version all he said was he respected Castro because he's stayed alive, that isn't support of his politics or anything else.

Beyond that what is wrong with respecting the leader of another country? It's not like Castro is dropping bombs on Cuban citizens or oppressing half of his population (women in Saudi Arabia)? It isn't hard to argue that US trade embargos have done more damage to the Cuban people than Castro ever did. We continue to punish the Cuban people as we pander to Cuban expats in Florida. The suspension of Guillen is just another example of our pandering.

We send food to North Korea, that is North Korea that needs food because its government builds a military rather than take care of its citizens. For Cuba we do nothing and in fact through our embargo and by forcing other countries to follow it we actually cause harm.

The suspension is a joke and just another symbol of our continued idiotic support Cuban expats in Florida.

Through the lens of him as a citizen you are clearly 100% correct if your point is free country freedom of speech.

You can say whatever you want in this country, but that does not mean it has no consequences.

An an employer they have every right to fire or discipline him for alienating customers.

I often times wish I could give honest opinions when asked questions- but know that it may be harmful to my company or create a controversy. I occasionally "go off the reservation" and comment on things. For instance I spoke to a group of employees the other day and then ate lunch with them. Over lunch one asked what I think of the Travon Martin situation and I answered it honestly. I would then have to accept the consequences if that shed a negative light on my company. We all are big boys (many people who play in this contest face simiilar situations every single day) and know this going in. Well maybe all of us but Ozzie Guillen.

And what you are saying is just another case of someone who just doesn't understand. I have family down in South Florida who are very close to several Cuban immigrents, and the torture and cruelty that Castro has caused to his own people for half a century is reason enough that your comments are just another example of American ignorance.

[/quote]

Speaking of ignorant, "immigrants" is spelled with an "a," and "guarantee" does not end with a "y."

dvidaver wrote:

And what you are saying is just another case of someone who just doesn't understand. I have family down in South Florida who are very close to several Cuban immigrents, and the torture and cruelty that Castro has caused to his own people for half a century is reason enough that your comments are just another example of American ignorance.

Speaking of ignorant, "immigrants" is spelled with an "a," and "guarantee" does not end with a "y."[/quote]

Great 1st post!

Since we're getting into the realm of nitpicking, both guarantee and guaranty are real words.

rockitsauce wrote:

mhest wrote:Is what he said really that bad? I mean he did call the guy a SOB. Unless what I see is an edited version all he said was he respected Castro because he's stayed alive, that isn't support of his politics or anything else.

Beyond that what is wrong with respecting the leader of another country? It's not like Castro is dropping bombs on Cuban citizens or oppressing half of his population (women in Saudi Arabia)? It isn't hard to argue that US trade embargos have done more damage to the Cuban people than Castro ever did. We continue to punish the Cuban people as we pander to Cuban expats in Florida. The suspension of Guillen is just another example of our pandering.

We send food to North Korea, that is North Korea that needs food because its government builds a military rather than take care of its citizens. For Cuba we do nothing and in fact through our embargo and by forcing other countries to follow it we actually cause harm.

The suspension is a joke and just another symbol of our continued idiotic support Cuban expats in Florida.

agree 100 %. Your opinion may not be popular (much easier to blame big mouth Ozzie) but you are not alone sir. You raised some very valid points.

Both of you... speak to someone who has lived in Cuba over the past 40 years. Ask them about the torture of this dictator. It is unspeakable and yet ignorance is bliss. Comparing to North Korea is just another way of deferring from the issue. We are affected directly by Cuba since it is close to our shores. If you cannot understand that, then I give up.

whipsaw wrote:

dvidaver wrote:

And what you are saying is just another case of someone who just doesn't understand. I have family down in South Florida who are very close to several Cuban immigrents, and the torture and cruelty that Castro has caused to his own people for half a century is reason enough that your comments are just another example of American ignorance.

Speaking of ignorant, "immigrants" is spelled with an "a," and "guarantee" does not end with a "y."

Great 1st post!

Since we're getting into the realm of nitpicking, both guarantee and guaranty are real words.[/quote]

Awesome... thanks for the feedback.. Will take note. Responding from my phone since the comment was so incredibly ignorant.

BK METS wrote:

rockitsauce wrote:

mhest wrote:Is what he said really that bad? I mean he did call the guy a SOB. Unless what I see is an edited version all he said was he respected Castro because he's stayed alive, that isn't support of his politics or anything else.

Beyond that what is wrong with respecting the leader of another country? It's not like Castro is dropping bombs on Cuban citizens or oppressing half of his population (women in Saudi Arabia)? It isn't hard to argue that US trade embargos have done more damage to the Cuban people than Castro ever did. We continue to punish the Cuban people as we pander to Cuban expats in Florida. The suspension of Guillen is just another example of our pandering.

We send food to North Korea, that is North Korea that needs food because its government builds a military rather than take care of its citizens. For Cuba we do nothing and in fact through our embargo and by forcing other countries to follow it we actually cause harm.

The suspension is a joke and just another symbol of our continued idiotic support Cuban expats in Florida.

agree 100 %. Your opinion may not be popular (much easier to blame big mouth Ozzie) but you are not alone sir. You raised some very valid points.

Both of you... speak to someone who has lived in Cuba over the past 40 years. Ask them about the torture of this dictator. It is unspeakable and yet ignorance is bliss. Comparing to North Korea is just another way of deferring from the issue. We are affected directly by Cuba since it is close to our shores. If you cannot understand that, then I give up.

thank u Hyman Roth. so let me get this straight, b/c Cuba is closer in proximity to the United States offending someone from there is worse than someone from North Korea ?

where was the outrage when he called Marriotti a fag ? guess gay folks just have thicker skin.

I understand the comments made by the lawyers/etc that it is a co. right to hire/fire who they want. PR crap, etc. To me this is just more of what a wise man here calls the "wussification of America". I mean, he didn't shoot an unarmed teenager and not get arrested. save your outrage for when it's worthy.

Hells Satans wrote:What if his opinion was that he loved that SOB Hitler because he was able to stay in power for as long as he did even though so many people hated him? Or Bin Laden pre-2011 because we had all these people looking for him but can't find him?

I realize it's a reductio ad absurdum argument, but people in public-facing positions get fired for stupid opinions all the time. This isn't a 1st Amendment issue. This is Public Relations 101.

Hmm, so by this logic, if Bruce Bochy admitted to being a Rick Santorum supporter, he should be suspended or fired? Saying something unpopular in your community and deserving punitive action because of it should not always go together and it creates a pretty slippery slope.

It really boils down to- do you believe in free enterprise. yes, a business should have every right to suspend an employee for insulting its customers. in this case that isn't a guess because the customers are not only mad- but boycotting. if the employee feels wronged his or her recourse should be the legal system. so ozzie can sue the marlins if he chooses.