During the third inning of the home opener, the broadcast made the odd move to cut to the pregame/postgame crew instead of commercial. Scott Podsednik was on hand to make a mystery announcement: The White Sox are retiring Ozzie Guillén’s No. 13.
Ozzie, sitting right next to Podsednik on the broadcast, began tearing up before Scott even finished reading the release. Guillén’s wife, Ibis, was just off-camera and able to celebrate with Ozzie.
Guillén’s made a few short reaction statements, indicating that he always dreamed of the honor, hoping now that his grandchildren would be able to come to the ballpark and learn about him.
Ozzie also made a quick pivot to White Sox history, noting through tears that he would be listed right between his hero, Venezuelan shortstop and White Sox legend Luis Aparicio (No. 11) and his favorite player to manage and unofficial captain under him, Paul Konerko (N0. 14).
On August 8, the White Sox host the Guardians for a Saturday night, 6:10 p.m. start.
And prepare for an emotional weekend, as Ozzie just noted that he “could die happy on August 9 now.”
