Who's Crazier: Ozzie Guillen or Bobby Valentine?

Ozzie Guillen is up to his old shenanigans and Bobby Valentine has been told what's up.

Guillen was ejected from Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Boston Red Sox for what else but arguing a call. Then, as the new Miami Marlins skipper exited the field, opposing manager Valentine gave him a sarcastic wave adios and said, "See ya." This exchange (although Ozzie totally missed it) is hopefully a nice foreshadowing of what this season has in store for us regarding these two. Not that they'll see each other much.

Chicago Cubs Pay Miami Marlins to Take Carlos Zambrano Off their Hands

So the Chicago Cubs have traded Carlos Zambrano to the Miami Marlins, who once again are demanding our attention. We can't wait to see him in his new Rainbow Brite uniform.

In return, the Cubbies will get right-hander Chris Volstad while also forking over $15.45 million of Zambrano's $18 million salary this season. Just let that one sink in for a minute.

First off, were the Cubs seriously hating on Big Z so much that they were willing to part with him and pay the majority of his income? You bet. In fact, the club's spankin' new President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein cited mistrust and general distaste among his former teammates as one of the main reasons he had to get him out of there.

What a deal for the Marlins.

Second, Chris Volstad is that guy whose name you can never remember but whose face you think you might recognize. Or not. He's average at best, carrying around a career 4.59 ERA in four big league seasons. Originally the Marlins' first-round pick in 2005, he's been up with the club since 2008, compiling a less than desirable 32-39 record along the way. Obviously, he's no Carlos Zambrano, who touts a 3.60 career ERA in 11 seasons on the North Side, with a 125-81 win-loss. Then again, Volstad probably isn't a psychopath either.

After a tumultuous career in which the 30-year-old righty has squabbled with teammates, managers, coaches, and umpires, the last straw coming on August 12. Upon being ejected from a game for being a total ass, he cleaned out his locker and began starting rumors of his retirement. Apparently he was only joking.

Miami Marlins Pick up Jose Reyes for $106 Million

First of all, what the hell is going on with Jose Reyes' eyebrows? Stop it right now... Then again, I guess you can do whatever you want with your face when you're a multi-millionaire ballplayer.

The All-Star shortstop and reigning National League batting champion became the second top free agent to sign with the Marlins over the last few days, joining closer Heath Bell in the Sunshine State. Though Bell was given $27 million over three years, Reyes commanded much, much more: $106 million for a six-year contract. The deal includes a club option for 2018 that would bring his worth to around $120 million, according to an anonymous source close to negotiations.

Meanwhile, free agent whale Albert Pujols has already toured the spankin' new, $515 million retractable roof stadium in Miami. Prince Fielder, the other giant free agent still on the market, hasn't had a tour yet, but there has been a ridiculous amount of speculation that he may end up there. What are the chances one of these guys will land in Florida with Ozzie Guillen and the stupid new uniforms? Either way, this team is about to become one to reckon with, with or without those two.

Reyes followed the dollar signs out of New York after spending the last 12 years of his life in the organization. The 28-year-old signed there back when he was 16 and went on to bring home the Mets’ first NL batting title when he hit .337 with 16 triples and 39 stolen bases last season. The four-time All-Star and three-time stolen base champ, though a bit injury prone, will likely make Hanley Ramirez move from short stop to third base. Poor guy.

And poor Mets fans.

[New York Times]

Top Ten Things Babes Love Baseball is Thankful for in 2011

We're thankful for so many things. Baseball, beer, and shoes being the three most important, obviously. Oh, and family of course... but there are so many baseball-related things to be grateful for that we felt the need to compile a list and share it with all of you. No, Joe Mauer is not one of them. He's disappointed us to no end this season and really, we'd rather not talk about it. Wouldn't want him to land on the DL with hurt feelings.

10. A nice hot stove. Although Marea's favorite NFL team sucks ass this season, Sooze's is doing quite well. The best actually. But there have been other MLB offseasons in which football has not gotten us through the winter. Not even close. And it's because of the NFL's blatant disregard for happiness that we are incredibly thankful for MLB Network. Best. Channel. Ever.

9. The Dugout: The Official Chatroom of Major League Baseball. If you haven't read one of these little gems, you are totally missing out. In fact, we're disgusted with you. Just click the link.

8. Players like C.J. Wilson. Without guys like him to make fun of, this blog would be boring as hell and we probably would've given up a long time ago. Thanks, buddy.

7. The Youtubes. Thank you to all you nerds out there who tirelessly post videos of protected content that you know MLB will be taking down in just a matter of time. We enjoy them while we can.

Robin Ventura Shakes Headlock, Takes a Stab at Managing White Sox

Robin Ventura, best know for getting his ass beat by Nolan Ryan (I swear that will be on this poor sap's tombstone) has taken Ozzie Guillen's job as skipper of the South Siders.

The former White Sox third baseman joined the team this summer as a "special adviser" to director of player development Buddy Bell, which is apparently a lot like managing a ball club. Fun fact: Ventura has never so much as managed a little little league team in his entire life... Oh well.

The White Sox don't seem to care about this minor detail, however. They just had to snag him up before another club did. You know, one who preferred a skipper with zero credentials. Besides, they had to get a name out there that someone recognized so the world would'nt realize that no one wants to be in charge of that mess, let alone listen to Ken Williams babble on and on.

Ozzie Guillen to Manage Miami Marlins and Their Stupid New Logo

Update: The Miami Marlins logo has been leaked via Twitter (how else?) and fans are having mixed emotions about it. We think it's lame, but don't really give a crap either way.

I guess we all pretty much knew already that Ozzie Guillen, upon his parting with the Chicago White Sox Monday evening, would end up managing the Miami Marlins next season... we just weren't sure when it would be announced.

The club, who handed Guillen a four-year, $10 million contract, wasted little time in making the reunion public, introducing the team to their new manager just hours before their final game at Tropicana Field Wednesday. Marlins owner Jeff Loria is not concerned in the least about the outspoken skipper "ruffling any feathers" upon his arrival in Florida:

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:

Ozzie Guillen Tweets Himself into a Corner

For the most part, Ozzie Guillen's tweets don't make any sense. Even if you are bilingual. Of course, that doesn't make them any less entertaining.

However, Major League Baseball is looking into any rules the Chicago White Sox manager may have broken by making derogatory comments about an umpire via Twitter after being ejected.

Happy Bleeping Holidays from Ozzie Guillen

Hat Tip [Deadspin]

White Sox The Club Premieres Sunday

The highly-anticipated Chicago White Sox reality show The Club premieres on MLB Network -- the greatest channel ever in the history of television -- Sunday at 9pm ET.

Personally, I'm pretty pumped. Sure, as a Twins fan, I'm supposed to despise the White Sox. I'm not supposed to like their manager either. Unfortunately, Ozzie Guillen is just too awesome. And how could anyone not love Carlos Quentin or Paul Konerko? Mercy!

As Ed Price of MLB Fanhouse put it:

MLB Network got full access to a group that includes the game's most entertaining manager, Ozzie Guillen, and its most unpredictable GM.

White Sox Cruise, Big Z "Misunderstood"

The Chicago White Sox are absolutely crushing it lately, cruising to their 11th consecutive victory with a 3-2 win over the struggling cross-town Cubs Saturday.

With one out in the eighth, Paul Konerko nailed his 19th homer of the season off reliever Andrew Cashner to break the 2-all tie and lead the Sox to their 11th straight win -- the club's longest streak since back in 1961 when they won 12 games in a row -- and 15th of their last 16.

J.J. Putz got the W with a scoreless eighth after Freddy Garcia went seven innings, surrendering eight hits with five strikeouts. The Cubs wasted a decent outing by Carlos Silva, who gave up just three hits over six innings, walking one and fanning four.

THIS Is Why We Love Ozzie Guillen

Ozzie Guillen got tossed last night after a little spat with umpire Joe West. Nothing really new, here people. But after the game, Ozzie had a few choice words for West, which made us giggle. Lots.

The fun started when West called a balk during the second inning, and Ozzie went out to have some words with him. Mark Buerhle may or may not have balked, but Ozzie went out to argue that West was trying to embarrass Buerhle. (After all, he couldn't have been going out to argue the balk call, since that isn't allowed, of course.) Of course, Ozzie got tossed at this point and the game resumes.

West has been known to be a little too big for his umpire britches, and some might say he's got it in for the Sox.

Ozzie Strokes Cubbies, Fans with Kindness

The thoughtful Ozzie Guillen, Chicago White Sox skipper, had nothing but a string of pleasantries to help soothe the utterly deflated egos of the Cubs organization and the fans.

"I think they went out and played their heart out. They just got beat," said the Ozzie tenderly, while pleasuring himself under the table during the interview. "The expectations were so high. It's not easy as a player to come every day with 'This is the year. This is the year.' Well, what if this isn't the year? What if 'the year' is next year?"

Apparently Ozzie even sent a text message to Carlos Zambrano after the Dodgers won 3-1 on Saturday. He told him to keep his head up, don't let upcoming criticism get him down. This from the same man who told White Sox closer Bobby Jenks in 2006, "When you're fat and you're good, you're a strong guy...When you're fat and you're horse-shit, you're fat."

Ten Reasons to Root for Tampa Bay

Today, the Tampa Bay Rays will take on the Chicago White Sox in game one of the ALDS at Tropicana Field. I thought it might be fun to find some new reasons to love the TB Rays, other than my intense dislike for the CWS team, their terrible network announcers, and their annoying fans.

So, in the spirit of creativity, here is a list of 10 new fun reasons why we should all jump on the crowded Tampa Bay bandwagon.

10.) This marks the first time in more than a decade that a team other than the Yankees or the Red Sox have won this division.

Bring on the Post Season!

Allow myself to introduce.. myself....

My name is Marea, and Sooze has graciously invited me to contribute to BLB during the post-season. As a fellow babe who loves baseball, I hope to make this little corner of the interwebs proud...

Anyway.

WTF

[Deadspin]

Ozzie Guillen is a Teddy Bear

For those of you who are offended by Ozzie Guillen's antics and outbursts...

You are joking me, right? I have two words for you: Earl Weaver.

Please. Ozzie is a [bleeping] pussycat.

[Yahoo! Baseball] | [Bleacher Report]

Why We [Bleeping] Love Ozzie Guillen

It's been a little while since we've heard or read a profanity-laced outburst from Chicago White Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen. Too long.

Sunday morning, he went off like a weapon of mass destruction, cursing the day each and every Chicago-born reporter was born. Check out some of our favorite snippets and feel free to play fill in the [bleeps]...

"The Cubs haven't won in 100 years, and they're the [bleeping] best. [Bleep] it, we're good. [Bleep] everybody. We're horse[bleep], and we're going to be horse[bleep] the rest of our lives, no matter how many World Series we win."
and then there was this gem...

"How about the Cubs celebrating that Lee Elia bull[bleep]? How many times do I curse people out? I will make a lot of money with my [bleep]. I have to keep going because in the future Ozzie will need money, and I can say, 'Here, give me money, here's the 10-year anniversary of my time I called Jay Mariotti stuff and the time I went on the radio and cursed out Mike North.'"

We love you, Ozzie. Please never shut up.

Speaking of sports movies...? Our pal has kick-started a new site entitled Sports Movies Fanatic. Pretty sweet if you love sports and movies. And movies about sports. So check out their latest post highlighting the top 10 baseball movies of all time!

[Chicago Tribune]

We Love Ozzie Guillen

Dear Puerto Rico,

Welcome to the controversial world of Chicago White Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen. Enjoy your stay and please keep all rebuttals to yourself. They do not matter, unless they are profanity-laden. Then we'll hear them.

Love,

Babes Love Baseball

This time, all Ozzie said was that Roberto Clemente was not the best player to come out of Puerto Rico. He named Ivan Rodriguez and Roberto Alomar above the legendary right fielder, which is only a matter of opinion, much like the majority of what flies out of Guillen's mouth.

Big deal? Not really, especially since Ozzie carries a picture of Clemente in his wallet and collects his memorabilia.

Also, it sure took him long enough to get tossed this season.

[Inside the White Sox]

Season Preview: Chicago White Sox

Now that Spring Training has started, we're continuing on with Season Previews. Last year, they began as a serious analysis and ended as half-assed haiku, which we're just gonna keep rolling with.

Ozzie ball is for
Sadists and the Southsiders.
(same difference, really)

Jimbo's is no more.
At least there will always be
Kick-ass tailgating.

Have fun this year, Sox.
AL Central is murder...
You will finish fourth.



[South Side Sox] | [Inside the White Sox] | [South Side Baseball]