Ozzie Guillen always seemed to have a future in TV. The Venezuelan version of Charles Barkley, Guillen landed a role with Fox Sports as a studio analyst for the 2010 World Series. He did well enough to earn a nod to sit at ESPN’s table for the 2011 Series.
But Guillen is nowhere to be found during this year’s World Series. And that might be the case for the 2013 season in regards to TV.
Guillen’s TV stock definitely has fallen in the wake of his regretful comments on Fidel Castro and then the disaster he oversaw with the Miami Marlins. There’s definitely not a positive vibe.
In the words of one TV insider: “My hunch is that Ozzie has to go to the penalty box for awhile.”
Guillen may not even be interested in a TV gig. Obviously, he is hoping somebody will offer him another managing job for 2013.
However, if the call never comes, TV might be Guillen’s best option to help rebuild some of the damage done during 2012. It would keep him visible and current with the game. The strategy seemed to work well with Terry Francona.
Will somebody give Guillen a chance? He’s outspoken, fun and knows baseball.
But Guillen is carrying some baggage now. The networks don’t like baggage.
Could Ozzie possibly do Hispanic TV for ESPN Desportes or would that be worse thanks to the Castro comments. I would think (and I don’t mean anything bad by this) that he’s more comfortable with Spanish anyway.
Sorry but I was never a big fan of Guillen on Fox because I could never understand him. He needed a translator to translate his thoughts. He may be a fun guy for media who gets nice juicy quotes but for players, fans, management, owners and TV executives I think he has worn out his welcome and probably won’t be missed in the coming years.