(670 The Score) NBC Sports Chicago analyst Ozzie Guillen didn’t take kindly to MLB insider Jon Heyman’s suggestion that Guillen is out to steal White Sox manager Tony La Russa’s job.
Unprompted, Guillen called into 670 The Score around midday Wednesday to blast Heyman, who had tweeted Tuesday that it “will be interesting to see if it’s possible to get someone’s job by insulting them on a postgame show.” On NBC Sports Chicago, Guillen shared harsh criticism for La Russa and the White Sox’s uninspiring play after the team lost 4-1 to the Guardians on Tuesday afternoon in the opener of a doubleheader.
On Wednesday, Guillen wanted to make this much clear – he has great respect for La Russa and is in no way out to get his job. Guillen emphasized his criticism of La Russa and the White is rooted in his desire to be the most honest baseball analyst he can be. Guillen managed the White Sox from 2004-'11, including leading them to a World Series championship in 2005.
“When somebody calls me up and says, ‘I talk about Tony La Russa because I want to have a manager’s job,’ it’s wrong,” Guillen said. “I’m not. I have a great job. I’m having fun with the job. I will be the last person to talk about Tony La Russa in the wrong way.
“Tony is my mentor. Tony is my hero. Tony is the guy I look toward every day of my life when I was managing.
“When somebody says I don’t respect Tony, that’s full of crap … Jon Heyman is never in Chicago, never here or shows. He doesn’t know the relationship I got with (chairman) Jerry (Reinsdorf) – good or bad – or (executive vice president) Kenny (Williams).”
Guillen continued on about Heyman, who works for the New York Post and Audacy Sports.
“He’s got a national TV (gig), calling people to tell him what to say, I don’t respect that,” Guillen said. “I don’t respect that.”
In his 670 The Score interview, Guillen also eventually challenged Heyman to a boxing match, with proceeds going to charity. Heyman later responded on Twitter that he wasn’t interested in the boxing match but would make a donation to charity while calling for a truce with Guillen.
The White Sox have been MLB’s biggest disappointment, having entered the season with championship expectations but sitting at 42-45 after splitting a doubleheader with the Guardians on Tuesday. The White Sox are in third place in the AL Central, five games behind the division-leading Twins.
La Russa has come under a great deal of scrutiny amid the White Sox’s stagnant play. That criticism is primarily centered on his lineup decisions and his penchant for riding starters deep into games as their performance fades, but questions have long lingered about whether La Russa could do more to spark a team that has too often played flat and lacked fundamentals.
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