Rarely seen Ozzie Guillen break down in public, but this time he couldn’t help it. The historical figure of Chicago White Sox He burst into tears when he found out, in full television broadcast, that the franchise will officially retire its emblematic number 13, in tribute to one of the most influential personalities in the club’s history.
The surprise occurred during the CHSN broadcast, when former player Scott Podsednik, a member of the unforgettable 2005 World Series champion team, appeared to read an official message that left the former Venezuelan manager speechless.
The number retirement ceremony already has a confirmed date: it will be next August 8, before a home game, according to the organization.
Ozzie Guillén couldn’t hold back his tears
Guillén’s reaction was immediate and completely genuine. Visibly moved, the Venezuelan acknowledged that baseball had rarely touched him in that way.
“That’s one of the biggest surprises I’ve had in baseball,” said Ozzie Guillén.
The former shortstop, former champion manager and current sports commentator admitted that the tribute hit him emotionally in a very special way.
“I guess the White Sox did well, because they made me cry,” he said between emotion and smile.
And he added a phrase that summarizes the symbolic weight of the recognition:
“I know how important this moment is for my family and I. It shows that the White Sox cared about what I did for them.”
Why White Sox will retire Ozzie Guillén’s number 13
The retirement of number 13 represents a tribute to a figure who left his mark at different stages within the franchise.
Ozzie Guillén began his career in the Major Leagues with the White Sox in 1985 and, since then, he became one of the most identifiable faces of the organization.
His legacy includes an outstanding career as a player, but above all his historic time as a manager, a stage in which he led Chicago to the 2005 World Series title, breaking an 88-year drought without championships for the franchise.
That achievement made him an eternal character in the team’s history and one of the most important Latino references that baseball has had in the United States.
The story behind Ozzie Guillén’s number 13
During his speech, Guillén also revealed a special anecdote about how he ended up wearing the number that will now be immortalized.
He said that he originally wanted to use the number 9, but was not allowed because it had already been retired in honor of Minnie Miñoso, another historical legend of the organization.
It was then that he chose number 13, inspired by one of his great youth idols: also Venezuelan Davey Concepción, legendary shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds.
Guillén explained that he chose that number out of admiration for Concepción, one of the most important figures in Venezuelan baseball.
Now, that same number will be elevated to the most select group in White Sox history.
Ozzie waits for Davey Concepción and Jerry Reinsdorf at the ceremony
The Venezuelan also confessed that he hopes to live the tribute surrounded by important people in his career and in his life.
One of the guests he most wants to see at the ceremony is precisely Davey Concepción, who will turn 78 this summer and represents a profound influence on Guillén’s personal history.
In addition, he also expressed his wish that Jerry Reinsdorf, historic owner of the White Sox, be present.
In fact, Ozzie said that he spoke with him shortly after finding out about the tribute and shared a phrase that summarizes the closeness between the two:
“I just talked to Jerry a few minutes ago. He said, ‘I wanted to see you cry sometime,'” he revealed with a laugh.
Much more than a player or a manager
The relationship between Ozzie Guillén and Chicago goes far beyond sports results.
Over the years, the Venezuelan became a figure deeply connected to the city, to the Latino community and to several generations of White Sox fans.
Guillén himself explained it with a phrase loaded with identity:
“I’ve been lucky in Chicago. A lot of people knew me as a player, a lot of people knew me as a manager, and a lot of kids know me as that crazy guy on TV.”
That emotional bond with the club and its people is precisely what makes this tribute something much bigger than the retirement of a number.
An eternal recognition for a White Sox legend
The retirement of number 13 immortalizes Ozzie Guillén in the place he earned long ago in the history of the White Sox.
Player, leader, champion, symbol and Latin reference, the Venezuelan will forever remain among the greatest legends of a franchise that found in him one of its most charismatic and transcendent figures.
And if the greatness of a tribute is measured by the emotion it provokes, then the recognition has already fulfilled its mission even before it is officially celebrated.
