Courtesy
Monday, April 2, 2012 | 2:06 a.m.
Because of the outspoken nature he’s adopted as one of the most recognizable managers in Major League Baseball, many fans no longer remember Ozzie Guillen for his days as a shortstop.
Even fewer people recall his one-year run with the Las Vegas Stars. Guillen was a hotshot 20-year old prospect on the 1984 Stars, a team that featured fellow future MLB manager Bruce Bochy and standout John Kruk.
In an interview with the Sun two years ago, Guillen reflected fondly on the season that saw Las Vegas make a run to the playoffs. Guillen batted .296 and showed off some of the shortstop skills that made him into one of the game’s best defensive infielders in the following years.
Guillen’s wife, Ibis Cardenas, also gave birth to the couple’s first child while in Las Vegas.
Guillen made his debut in the majors the next season with the Chicago White Sox and became a staple with the team for 12 years. He returned to manage the White Sox in 2004 and led the franchise to its first World Series championship in 88 years in 2005.
He also won a World Series ring in 2003 as an assistant coach with the Florida Marlins. Guillen will look to bring another title to South Florida this year, as he’s re-joined the Marlins franchise as the manager.
Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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