I'm not sure how many blogs I've started with: "I love Ozzie Guillen, but ..." Well, here's another one.
I love Ozzie, but challenging your starting pitcher before a season-deciding series is certainly unique.
I have no idea how Javier Vazquez will respond tonight in Minnesota. If things start going wrong, will Ozzie's charge that he's not a big-game pitcher start creeping into Vazquez's confidence? Has it already?
Or will it inspire Vazquez?
Hard to say, not sure if I've seen a manager do this before. Usually they do the opposite, protecting their players.
I'm not crazy about this strategy. But the truth is, I'm not even sure it is a strategy as much as it was Ozzie just being Ozzie and being truthful.
Well, I've alluded to it before on this blog. Javier Vazquez is by no means a winner or even a true competitor in my book. Vazquez further showed his true colors by not taking Ozzie's message as one should. He basically says "well, I can't change his mind...I'll just retreat to my home in Puerto Rico and keep on living my life." Wow, doesn't that just get a Sox fan fired up!
I'm writing this as the Sox are already down 2-1 and needs to throw fastballs that are thrown more less over the bulk of the plate for breaking ball counts--typical.
I get a kick out of how they rearranged their pitching rotation just to have Vazquez pitch. I'd much rather have Danks. At least I know he'll go down with his last breath.
If I was a die-hard White Sox fan, I'd be livid with the performance that Vazquez gave last night. He had nothing but fastballs down the middle. He is clearly a 4rth/5th guy at best.
I am a Sox fan and I am VERY disappointed. Vasquez had a very bad game. Dude is a mental disaster. Pitching is our only chance. Quinton was the spark for the bats. Doesnt look good for my boyz. Bulls better not suck or I will be angry for the entire winter!
Vampires did us in with those calls! Check Swing TWICE! And that ball was a FOUL BALL!
Sox are done. Lots of blame to go around. But dont blame Kenny or Ozzie. Did all they could.