Ozzie Guillen back on top with family at his side

Oswaldo Guillen is trending in Venezuela again. Ozzie Guillen, the first Latino manager to win a World Series title, was back on top in his beloved Venezuela.

The former Chicago White Sox manager led Los Tiburones de La Guaira to their first championship in 38 years. Guillen sealed that title 18 years and three months after managing the White Sox to the 2005 World Series title.

In 2005, Guillen had his three sons in the dugout when he guided the White Sox to the title over the Astros. Guillen’s first grandson, Ozzie Joseph “Oso,” was in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, to see his abuelo lead La Guaira over Cardenales de Lara.

Guillen’s wife Ibis and sons Ozzie Jr. and Ozney were also in attendance for the series-clinching victory in Game 5.

Ozzie Guillen makes history again

With the title, he became the first Latino manager to win World Series and winter league titles. Moreover, he joins Earl Weaver, Tom Lasorda and Terry Francona as the only men in history to win a World Series and winter league title, according to Venezuelan baseball historian Tony Flores.

Weaver and Lasorda are both in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Francona, who retired after the 2023 season, is expected to be elected to the Hall of Fame when his candidacy is considered in 2026.

Guillen also secured Caribbean Series history four years after his son Ozney led Colombia to the 2020 Caribbean Series. Ozney, who is now an agent for Bad Bunny’s Rima Sports, and Ozzie are the only father-son duos to have led countries to the Caribbean Series. 

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La Guaira was four games under .500 when Guillen was summoned from his home in Chicago. Los Tiburones rallied under Guillen, who was considered a brilliant motivator during his playing and managerial careers in the majors.

Ozzie Guillen returns to Miami

He took the La Guaira job on the condition that his three-year-old grandson Oso could be around the team. Ozzie Jr. and Ozney also traveled from their homes in the United States to work remotely in Venezuela during the playoffs. 

Ozzie Guillen has a 747-710 managerial record over nine seasons in Major League Baseball. He hasn’t managed in the majors, however, since his only season with the Miami Marlins in 2012.

This title in Venezuela will surely renew the chorus of Guillen supporters. Many folks in Chicago and Venezuela think Guillen deserves another chance to manage in the majors. He had former major leagues Endy Chavez and Carlos Zambrano on his coaching staff in La Guaira. David Davallilo was the bench coach, and Ender Chavez was also on the staff. 

Guillen is now headed to the Caribbean Series, which will be held this year in Miami. Ozzie Guillen will surely be a popular figure in the city where he last managed in the majors.