Ozzie Guillen Has Managed His Last White Sox Game

Update: Ozzie has indeed been released from his contract with the White Sox after going 678-617 over eight seasons at the helm. Pitching coach Don Cooper will manage the team for the final two games of the season. Though negotiations with the Marlins had been in the making since last year, a deal never materialized, so Guillen isn't quite sure where he'll end up at this point. So long Ozzie, the American League Central will miss you!

Ozzie Guillen had a sit-down with board chairman Jerry Reinsdorf prior to his Chicago White Sox game against the Toronto Blue Jays Monday afternoon, perhaps to negotiate a way to stay on the South Side.

However, according to a ton of sources, the Sox and Florida Marlins are about to complete a deal that would send Guillen to Miami, putting an end to his (always exciting) eight-year stay with the club who raised him as a shortstop for 13 seasons before giving him a World Series Championship in 2005 as a second-year manager. As far as the details of the meeting, Guillen had this to say afterward:

"Fuck more years. I want more money. I don’t work here for years. No, I want more money. Years, what, I’m going to die poor with the White Sox? Hell, no. Listen this is my job. It’s the only thing I can do. I have to make money out of somewhere. I’m not a doctor or a lawyer, where you’ll have a job for the rest of your life... Life is about money. People don’t believe that. People are happy after they make money, fuck it."

Yes... it is all about the Benjamins, isn't it. When asked about the possibly of his moving to Florida, he replied:

"You never hear me talk about that. You never did. Did I ever say I wanted the Marlins out of my mouth? No, that’s their problem. If they want me, they should. Fuck it, I’m bad, I’m good at what I do. They should. Everybody can want me, but it’s one thing if they can get me. It’s not easy like, ‘OK I’m going to get you and you’re going to come here.’ No it’s a process.’"

Well... considering Jack McKeon announced his retirement this morning, looks like the wheels are already in motion. Happy trails, Ozzie! Maybe we'll get a Top Ten post up in your honor as soon as this business is official and whatnot.

[Chicago Tribune]