By Craig Davis and Brenda Medina, Sun Sentinel –
PHILADELPHIA — An off day from baseball may prove to be the most difficult — and most important — day of Ozzie Guillen’s career.
The brash-talking Marlins manager will tell how he really feels about Fidel Castro in a news conference Tuesday morning at Marlins Park.
A story in Time magazine quoted him as saying, “I love Castro.” Aware of the firestorm of outrage growing in South Florida’s Cuban community, Guillen flew back to Miami after Monday’s 6-2 victory over the Phillies to face the consequences.
“I feel very guilty about it and very bad and sad and very embarrassed,” he said. “I have to wear it, I have to face it. I have to grab the bull by the horns, and I will do it (Tuesday).”
Although Guillen apologized Saturday and amended his endorsement of Castro, the Cuban-American group Vigilia Mambisa planned to boycott and demonstrate against the Marlins until Guillen steps down. Chairmen of the city and county commissions in Miami-Dade and other public officials called for Guillen’s removal.
Rickie Ricardo, the Phillies’ Spanish broadcaster and a resident of Pembroke Pines, understands the powder keg of feelings about Castro in South Florida. He was born in New York after his parents fled Cuba in 1961 while his mother was pregnant with him.
“My own father is a Marlins fan, lives in South Florida. The first person he called when he heard this was me. He said, ‘What the hell is going on here? I’m not buying any tickets until this is cleared up.’
“It’s a hot subject. They’re trying to develop a new fan base in a new park. This is the last thing they need. They could go 0-50, it wouldn’t be as bad as that. That’s the last thing this franchise needs.”
Particularly after public money from the city and county provided the majority of the funding for the $515 million retractable-roof ballpark in Little Havana. The Marlins have been mum except for a brief statement condemning Castro and his impact on Cubans in South Florida.
“Our community has been overly generous to the Marlins, and we cannot allow them as an organization to continue to treat us, the residents of Miami, with disdain or be dismissive of our concerns,” said Francis Suarez, chairman of the City of Miami Commission. “Now, on behalf of many angry residents, I’m calling for real action to be taken and for the removal of Mr. Guillen.”
Ricardo said he has dealt professionally for several years with Guillen, who has a history of inflammatory remarks, and believes this is an extreme case of the Venezuelan-born manager speaking without gauging the impact of his words.
Guillen has made contradictory comments about Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez that have angered some of his countrymen. Last week he revealed that he likes to get drunk after every game, win or lose.
“Just from interviewing him myself, I honestly think he’s sincere about the fact that he knows he’s affected some people, he’s offended some people and really wants to clear this up,” Ricardo said.
“I really feel in my heart that he is not a pro-Castro person. I think he didn’t foresee the snowball effect of this whole thing. But he’s taking the steps necessary to getting this cleared up, which I commend him for. He’s nipping it in the bud, he’s getting this over with right now.”
Will that be enough to calm the furor and ensure he retains his job?
“Will it bury it completely, let’s hope so,” Ricardo said. “He has broached on the one subject with the Miami-Cuban base, the power base in South Florida, that is untouchable. This could turn off a lot of people that are trying to reignite their passion with this franchise. It could be a roadblock.”
On Saturday, Guillen amended his comments in Time, saying: “I respect Fidel Castro. You know why? A lot of people have wanted to kill Fidel Castro for the last 60 years, but that (expletive) is still there.”
That did little to soothe feelings. The outcry against Guillen gained momentum Monday even after he announced his plans to address the issue.
Joe A. Martinez, Miami-Dade county chairman, demanded Guillen’s resignation, and said, “I ask for the support of all those who have suffered cruelty and violation of human rights, anywhere in the world. Mr. Guillen should be ashamed of feeling respect for Fidel Castro or any dictator that oppresses the citizens of a country.”
Not all Cuban activists are calling for Guillen to step down. Max Lesnik, former publisher of Replica magazine, a Miami Spanish-language radio commentator and a long-time anti-embargo activist, said ousting Guillen undermines the principles of a free society those opposed to Castro are fighting for.
“In a different society, people who don’t agree with his opinion would express their disagreement,” he said. “But not in Miami; here they want his head. They want the man to resign. These people don’t understand the concept of a democratic society and freedom of expression.”
Guillen expressed remorse and said he hasn’t been able to sleep for several nights. He said he wanted to clear the air as soon as possible and give everyone in South Florida a chance to look him in the eyes while he opens his heart.
“I want the Cuban people to understand and believe what I say. What I’m going to say is 100 percent true and very honest,” he said.
Guillen hasn’t denied making the comments about Castro, but seemed surprised how his remarks were portrayed in the Time article, saying,” I feel bad because — I don’t want to say (taken) out context — I think it was kind of a cheap shot.
“I don’t want to put the guy in the spotlight. The interview was about sport, not politics. You read what it was; it comes out a different way. I can’t control that. I have to wear it, I have to face it.”
Guillen said he has spoken to a number of people with ties to Cuba and offered apologies, including to long-time Marlins Spanish announcer Felo Ramirez.
“The saddest part of this was to apologize to Felo Ramirez. That was hard. I did, face to face,” Guillen said.
Ramirez and broadcast partner Luis Quintana declined comment on Guillen’s remarks. Ramirez said Guillen is taking the proper steps by returning to Miami and facing those affected.
Asked if he was concerned the issue could cost him his job, Guillen said, “I hope not. Why? I’m Latino. I lived in Miami for 12 years. I know how people feel about that. I’ve got a lot of friends, a lot of players (who) play for me, they know who I am. They know how I feel, what I mean.”
Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez, the son of Cuban exiles, refused to comment about the planned protest in Miami or to disclose his feelings or those of his family.
“I’m here to play baseball. I’m not dealing with any things about politics or anything like that,” Sanchez said. “I don’t know what was said, I don’t know anything that happened. You’re not going to get anything out of me.”
