Ozzie Guillen happily embraces abuelo role

CHICAGO – Almost 20 years after he made history as the first Latino manager to win a World Series, Ozzie Guillen is living his best life. The fiery and outspoken Venezuelan is the lead White Sox television analyst for the Chicago Sports Network.

More importantly, perhaps, he is embracing his abuelo era as a doting grandfather. Guillen and the 2005 World Series squad he led were honored this weekend in a celebration of the 20th anniversary of their title. 

Guillen spoke openly to Our Esquina about a wide range of subjects. From being the first Latino manager to win the World Series to his desire to have his number retired and immigration, no subject was off limits.

The White Sox legend became the first Latino manager to win the World Series when the franchise ended its 88-year title drought against the Houston Astros. They swept the 2005 World Series and concluded an impressive 11-1 playoff record.  

The iconic team was brought back together for the unveiling of legendary White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle’s statue. The White Sox retired Buehrle’ No. 56 on Friday evening. Then on Saturday afternoon the entire squad was on hand for an on-field ceremony.

Forever 2005

Abuelo Ozzie brought the 2005 Commissioner’s Trophy out to the field with his now famous grandson “Oso,” the son of Ozzie Guillen Jr. The senior Guillen isn’t lobbying to return to baseball’s 162-game marathon. Being a grandpa is much more fun.

OZZIE GUILLEN 👏👏👏

'05 Forever | @Prevagen pic.twitter.com/yiEIv5cFjX

— White Sox on CHSN (@CHSN_WhiteSox) July 12, 2025

”I am an abuelo right now and enjoying it,” he says. “And this is a really good gig I am doing now. If I didn’t have this job, I mean, maybe. But I don’t think so. I don’t think my family wants to go through that again with the grind, and there are more negatives than positives.” 

His abuelo era is in full swing. Ozzie Guillen is embracing every moment, considering he raised his sons while playing and managing. He refers to being a grandfather as the best thing in the world. Guillen jokes that if he had known being a grandfather was better than being a father, he would have chosen being a grandfather first.

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“Some say being a grandfather may age you but for me it’s been the opposite,” he says. “It’s rejuvenated me. I have actually spent more time with my grandkids than my own kids because I was playing and managing.

“But with the grandkids I have been able to spend some beautiful moments with them. I really do feel grateful to God.”

He appreciates the time he has with his grandkids. Guillen notes that some Latino abuelos aren’t so fortunate because they are in Latin America while their grandkids are in the United States.

Top Latino talent

We had to discuss what the iconic skipper thinks about the state of Latino baseball in America, considering the talent and the three Latino managers currently at the helm of MLB clubs.

“We are living through a great time as Latinos in this time,” he says. “If you look at the best paid player in the majors, it’s a Dominican (Juan Soto). We’re talking about (Fernando) Tatis and many more superstars. You look at an (Jose) Altuve, and he is a Hall of Famer as a Venezuelan.

“There are also more coaches than ever and many are Latinos. You have Alex (Cora) and (Carlos) Mendoza out there. And the work they are doing will continue to open doors for others, so I think currently Latin America is going through a really great time in Major League Baseball.” 

Ozzie sees himself as the icon he is in the team’s 125-year history. Throughout the weekend in any appearance he made from the statue unveiling to the team’s ceremony, the chant that broke out the most was “Ozzie, Ozzie, Ozzie,”

Sox fans still have plenty of love for the All-Star turned manager. It really would make sense for the team to retire the number he wore on the diamond and the dugout Guillen looks forward to the day the team makes it happen. 

Retire No. 13

“That’s my goal,” he says. “I would love for it to happen. But obviously that’s not my decision to make. I feel I have done quite a bit for this organization. I was born and raised in this organization and am still doing work for it in different ways but still doing work for the franchise. And if you ask me, I deserve it. I would love it.”

Paul Konerko agrees that Ozzie’s No. 13 should be retired by the White Sox. Konerko is adamant that every player who played for Guillen would say his jersey should be retired.

Ozzie Guillen has always been proud of his roots and being an immigrant. He proudly draped a Venezuelan flag around his neck the night the Sox won the 2005 World Series and then again at the celebration in Chicago.

He is saddened by the way immigration are being treated in the U.S. now.

“Sad, because this country is made of immigrants,” he says. “Without us this country would go down. It’s sad that for some people who supposedly aren’t in the best interest of this country we’re all going to pay for them. Ninety percent of people that come to this country come to work. We have helped make this country what it is. We’ve had Mexicans serve in Afghanistan and Iraq and Latinos serving in places like that.”

Ozzie empathizes for his people and admits he hates seeing them treated the way they have been treated. 

“Hopefully we can get through this quickly because it’s really a shame to see what is going on to people who have been here their whole life and for them to be treated that way,” he says.

^{Featured photo courtesy of the White Sox.}