With “OZZIE 13” spelled out across the pinwheels in center field, the number “13” shaded into the infield dirt right at the shortstop position, and chairs in front of the White Sox dugout down the third base line, the stage was set for Ozzie Guillén’s number retirement ceremony.
Chuck Garfien opened the ceremony, welcoming former teammates and players managed under Ozzie to grab the remaining open chairs while saving the final introduction for Ozzie and his wife, Ibis Cárdenas.
From a sold-out stadium filled with Sox fans in the stands to Sox legends loitering the field to active players in the dugout watching on, it wasn’t all White Sox taking in the ceremony:
A highlight reel played on the center field scoreboard, detailing Ozzie’s best moments as a player and a manager, including a nice montage of the, let’s just say, fiery passion, we all loved to see from Ozzie.
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A.J. Pierzynski and Paul Konerko took the microphone, sharing stories and reminiscing about their 2005 World Championship season.
Following their anecdotes, it was the man of the hour’s time to shine on the podium.
Following his speech, Chuck Garfien, with the help of Harold Baines and on behalf of the Chicago White Sox, presented a painting of Ozzie and two plane tickets from Chicago to Tokyo.
Finally, introduced by Gene Honda, the No. 13 Guillén was unveiled, fitting perfectly between No. 11 Aparicio and No. 14 Konerko. A tearful Ozzie did the sign of the cross and moved in a slow circle, waving to every fan in the stands.
Jerry Reinsdorf, in his statement reflecting on No. 13, said “from the moment he joined this organization in Spring Training 1985, Ozzie Guillén has been one of a kind.”
From his playing career to his managing career to being a pregame and postgame analyst, when White Sox fans old and new think of the White Sox, they inevitably think of Ozzie Guillén.
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