CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox honored the legendary Ozzie Guillén by retiring his No. 13 jersey before Saturday’s face-off with Cleveland, celebrating his dual legacy as former manager and shortstop.
At 62, Guillén, now a vibrant voice on White Sox broadcasts, made history as the 13th individual and uniquely, the team’s first former manager to receive this prestigious honor. His number now graces the facade of Rate Field’s second deck, marking a lasting tribute.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
A triumphant chapter in his career, Guillén’s tenure with the White Sox began in earnest as a dynamic three-time All-Star. Starting his 16-year major league journey with Chicago, he captured the AL Rookie of the Year award in 1985 at just 21 and clinched a Gold Glove in 1990.
During his 13-year playing stint with the Sox, Guillén posted a .265 batting average, notched 24 home runs, drove in 565 RBIs, and amassed 163 stolen bases across 1,743 regular-season games. After his time in Chicago, he wrapped his playing career with Baltimore, Atlanta, and Tampa Bay, retiring in 2000 with a career .264 average, featuring 28 homers and 619 RBIs.
Guillén’s journey came full circle when he returned to Chicago as manager from 2004 to 2011. His leadership culminated in guiding the White Sox to their last World Series championship in 2005. Across eight seasons, he achieved an impressive managerial record of 678-617.
Guillén was introduced in front of the White Sox dugout by A.J Pierzynski and Paul Konerko, stars on the 2005 White Sox team that rolled to an 11-1 record in that postseason. Other former teammates and players were also in attendance, as well as White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.
“I’ve never been nervous playing baseball,” Guillén said. “I’ve never been nervous managing baseball. But today I am very, very nervous because this is a different moment.
“Today I’m not here as a manager. Today I’m here as a grateful man given this opportunity.”
In a statement, Reinsdorf said: “From the moment he joined this organization in spring training 1985, Ozzie Guillén has been one of a kind.”
Guillén was electric as a player and outspoken, often fiery, as a manager. The Venezuela native never shied away from bluntness – and profanity – in assessing players, plays, games or whatever.
Konerko said Guillén was “passionate” and “never had trouble telling anyone something that was wrong.”
Guillén also managed the Miami Marlins in 2012 and was fired after one season after his team went 69-93. Not only the record, but backlash caused by Guillen’s awkward praise of former Cuban strongman Fidel Castro contributed to his dismissal in South Florida.
On Saturday, Guillén was joined by his wife, Ibis, onstage, with family members including his three sons, seated in front of him. He wore a dark suit with a prominent Venezuelan flag lapel pin.
Meeting with reporters, Guillén called out his Venezuelan heritage and his selection of uniform No. 13 as something linked to the country’s baseball tradition.
He saluted nine-time All-Star infielder Dave Conceptión, who wore No. 13 over 19 seasons with Cincinnati as an inspiration. He called out current Venezuelan Atlanta outfield Ronald Acuña Jr. for continuing with the tradition of wearing No. 13.
“I think 13 belongs to my country,” Guillén said. “And to me in Venezuela 13 is a lucky number and Americans did not believe what a lucky number that is.”
Copyright © 2026 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.