The Chicago White Sox will honor 2005 World Series-winning Manager Ozzie Guillén on Saturday, August 8, by retiring his uniform No. 13 during a special tribute before the first pitch vs. Cleveland at 6:10 p.m.
The current pre- and postgame host was told of the honor Friday during a surprise announcement on CHSN during the third inning of the White Sox home opener.
“Ozzie is truly one of a kind, and his passion for baseball and the White Sox is unmatched. Ozzie’s knowledge of the game, combined with his energy and ability to motivate his teams, helped deliver a World Series Championship to White Sox fans and the city of Chicago after an 88-year drought,” said Jerry Reinsdorf, White Sox chairman. “The number 13 has always belonged to Ozzie in the hearts of our fans, and this season, we wanted to make it official by retiring his number. Like many of the White Sox legends, there will never be another 13.”
Guillén will be the 13th member of the organization to have his number retired, including players from the 2005 World Series team, Mark Buehrle, Paul Konerko and Hall-of-Famer Frank Thomas. Guillén becomes the first manager in franchise history to have his jersey number retired.
Guillén managed the White Sox from 2004-11, compiling a 678-617 record (.524) over 1,295 games. He led the White Sox to two postseason appearances, highlighted by the historic 2005 season when Chicago went 11-1 to capture the franchise’s first World Series championship since 1917. He became the first Latino manager in Major League Baseball to win a World Series. Guillén was named the 2005 American League Manager of the Year and finished his White Sox managerial tenure tied for third with Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa with 678 wins.
As a player, Guillén spent 13 seasons as the White Sox shortstop from 1985–97. He was a three-time All-Star (1988, 90, 91), 1990 Gold Glove Award winner and 1985 AL Rookie of the Year.
Tickets to Ozzie Guillén Day on Saturday, August 8, are available now at whitesox.com or at the Rate Field Box Office.
