Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

25 years later, White Sox manager recalls year in Vegas

Baseball

Leila Navidi

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen greets Las Vegas Convention and Visitor Authority showgirls Tala McDonnough, left, and Jennifer Gagliano before the White Sox vs. Cubs exhibition game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas Wednesday.

White Sox vs. Cubs in Las Vegas

Mayor Oscar Goodman reacts after he botches a pitch before the White Sox versus Cubs exhibition game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas Wednesday. Launch slideshow »

In 1984, a shortstop prospect for the minor league Las Vegas Stars spent a year trying to hit a home run off the scoreboard over the left wall at Cashman Field. But no matter how hard he tried, Ozzie Guillen couldn’t find the power to get it there.

“When I was a kid, I thought that scoreboard was two miles away,” Guillen said. “Now I’m grown up and I say, ‘Eh, it’s not too far out there.’ But when I played here I was like, ‘God, I wish I could hit that.’”

Guillen, now the manager of the Chicago White Sox, made a successful return to Cashman Field Wednesday night when his team defeated the Chicago Cubs in an exhibition game there, 7-6. It was Guillen’s first return to the field since the one year he played for the Stars, who have since become the 51s.

In a twist of irony, Guillen’s own player, Michael Restovich, hit a game-tying homer that bounced off the bottom of the scoreboard in the eighth inning.

If Guillen was bothered by Restovich showing him up, it would have been hard to detect. From a hug with Mayor Oscar Goodman, joking with media and a few kisses from the showgirls, Guillen appeared to enjoy his return to Las Vegas.

“I’ve already been here for two days, relaxing,” Guillen said. “I’ll stay in my room ‘til seven, go to dinner, lose a couple bucks. I told my wife that we had to get back to the room because of all the money we’re losing here. I’m going to have to work another year to get it back.”

Although the then-20-year-old spent just a year in Las Vegas, it was a memorable one, to say the least. Guillen hit .296 with five home runs that year, propelling him into the majors in 1985 with the White Sox. He was named the American League Rookie of the Year that year and went on to become a three-time All-Star, spending 16 years in the league. As a manger in 2005, he led the White Sox to their first World Series title in 88 years.

In addition to his baseball career changing in Las Vegas, Guillen’s personal life changed as well when Ozzie Jr., Guillen’s first child, was born here in 1984.

“The biggest thing I remember is Junior being born here. That’s something you’re never going to forget,” Guillen said. “I told my wife that I never thought in my life I’d get to come back to Vegas and be a manager of a ball club. That’s a lot of years ago.”

Wednesday was just the fourth time in franchise history the White Sox spent part of their spring training at Cashman Field. In 1993, another preseason game between the White Sox and the Cubs set the venue’s all-time attendance record, drawing a crowd of 15,025.

In the midst of a lengthy preseason schedule, Guillen said it was a welcome change for his club and one he hopes will continue in seasons to come.

“I think we should have been here yesterday,” Guillen joked before Wednesday’s game. “We need to spend a little more time here. I think it comes at a great time, it’s great for the players to break out and do something different. I think it’s something we should keep in mind for the future.”

This year marked the Cubs’ fifth straight with an appearance at Cashman Field. Although it had been more than 20 years since Guillen was there last, Cubs manager Lou Piniella joked that he still had no advantage over his opponent, who is notorious for managing the game with a sometimes-crazy passion.

“I don’t know, it’s hard to get the advantage on Ozzie,” Piniella said. “You’ve got to sleep with one eye open. He’s a character.”

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