What's next for Ozzie and the Sox?
Ozzie was hired following a disappointing 2003 season in which Jerry Manuel once again could not reach the top of the division, despite a growing payroll. All White Sox fans remembered Ozzie as he first broke into the Major’s in 1985. He would continue to play until ’97 with the Sox, and then spent the last few years of his career as a role player with the Braves and Devil Rays.
Ozzie is a fiery guy, anyone who has ever watched him knows that. When he first arrived, it didn’t take him long to start making controversy. He upset Frank Thomas, called him out, was brash with reporters and displayed an attitude and charisma that wasn’t there anytime recently. The finished in 2nd place in Ozzie’s first year, but had a little something to build on.
Then came 2005, and Ozzie was always a hot topic. People either hated him, or loved him. The team sure played their butts off for him though. Ozzie would go on rants protecting his players from the media, from bad calls, you name it. Ozzie stuck his neck out for the team and they responded. They won the World Series for the first time since 1917. Ozzie brought us a championship. His fire, his charisma, his love for the game….he drove this team to win.
Fast forward to 2007: 8 games out of first place, a batting average barely above the Mendoza line, a staff ERA that makes you miss Freddy Garcia and Brandon McCarthy. Ozzie is still fiery, but now that is seen as a sideshow and a possible distraction. The very thing that “drove” this team to a World Series in 2005, is now a distraction? Sure, I can understand how Ozzie can become annoying, but has he lost the ability to drive the team?
The next few weeks will be very telling for Ozzie and the White Sox. If they continue to lose, can Kenny Williams fire the guy that brought us our first Championship in 88 very long years? Only time will tell, but one thing is sure: Ozzie won’t go quietly.
Ozzie is a fiery guy, anyone who has ever watched him knows that. When he first arrived, it didn’t take him long to start making controversy. He upset Frank Thomas, called him out, was brash with reporters and displayed an attitude and charisma that wasn’t there anytime recently. The finished in 2nd place in Ozzie’s first year, but had a little something to build on.
Then came 2005, and Ozzie was always a hot topic. People either hated him, or loved him. The team sure played their butts off for him though. Ozzie would go on rants protecting his players from the media, from bad calls, you name it. Ozzie stuck his neck out for the team and they responded. They won the World Series for the first time since 1917. Ozzie brought us a championship. His fire, his charisma, his love for the game….he drove this team to win.
Fast forward to 2007: 8 games out of first place, a batting average barely above the Mendoza line, a staff ERA that makes you miss Freddy Garcia and Brandon McCarthy. Ozzie is still fiery, but now that is seen as a sideshow and a possible distraction. The very thing that “drove” this team to a World Series in 2005, is now a distraction? Sure, I can understand how Ozzie can become annoying, but has he lost the ability to drive the team?
The next few weeks will be very telling for Ozzie and the White Sox. If they continue to lose, can Kenny Williams fire the guy that brought us our first Championship in 88 very long years? Only time will tell, but one thing is sure: Ozzie won’t go quietly.
2 comments:
I don't think Ozzie will be fired. Yet. And you're right...when and if he's axed - he will not ride quietly into the sunset....he'll be firing his six-shooters in the air.
He's going to get a lot of pressure if this isn't straightened out by mid-season. I just hope it doesn't get ugly!
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