Ozzie Guillen apologizes for Castro comment

Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen, left, argues with home plate umpire Ted Barrett in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, April 7, 2012, in Cincinnati. / AP Photo/Tony Tribble

(AP) CINCINNATI - Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen apologized on Saturday for telling a magazine that he loves Fidel Castro, a comment that prompted to team the issue a statement denouncing the Cuban dictator.

Guillen told Time magazine that he loves Castro and respects him for staying in power so long. When Guillen read his comments Friday, he said he felt sick because he knew how people would react.

Guillen called the team's beat writers for a closed-door meeting before a game against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night and apologized.

"I will apologize if I hurt somebody's feelings, or I hurt somebody's thought," Guillen told the writers. "I want them to know I'm against everything 100 percent — I repeat it again — the way this man (been) treating people for the last 60 years."

In response to the magazine story, the Marlins released a statement saying, "There is nothing to respect about Fidel Castro.

"He is a brutal dictator who has caused unthinkable pain for more than 50 years. We live in a community filled with victims of this dictatorship, and the people in Cuba continue to suffer today."

It's not the first time Guillen, from Venezuela, has made a strong comment about a controversial leader. During his first news conference as Marlins manager in September, he bristled at a suggestion he supports Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

"Don't tell my wife that, because she hates that man. She hates him to death," Guillen said. "I supported Chavez? If I was supporting Chavez, do you think I would be manager of the Marlins? I never supported Chavez."

Guillen said he has never spoken to Chavez, but in fact he appeared on the Venezuelan leader's national radio show twice in October 2005, when Guillen led the Chicago White Sox to the World Series title. At the time, Guillen said: "Not too many people like the president. I do. My mom will kill me, but it's an honor to talk to the president."

Guillen became a U.S. citizen in 2006, and he has been more critical of Chavez in recent years.

"It's not my fault Chavez is the president," Guillen said. "I didn't put him there. ... We got what we deserved."

[SuperSillious]

Which Ozzie will come out next time, "Diary of a Madman" or "Crazy Train?"

[trueblue2012]

I agree-what's next? Fire Guillen,he is bad for business,and gives the Marlins an image they do not deserve.Let's just play ball again!

[sallychicago]

I think Ozzie forgot where he was. He's in Cuba-Exile land, you don't talk good about Castro and Cuba. I got a feeling Ozzie won't be there very long....he's probably still po'd about being traded to the Marlins.

[CashMc]

Ozzie is such a fool.

[longtree-2009]

he is a U.S. citizen now. the man can love or hate anyone he likes as long as he breaks no laws.

[sallychicago]

He can't in America, even though he has speech rights. Look around, almost everything people say that goes against a group of people is shot down.
Ozzie forgot where he was. He thought he was still in Chicago.

[dmoralesbell]

It's very easy to support a dictatorship (whether it be in Cuba or Venezuela) while earning millions of dollars and living in the US. Why doesn't he move back to Venezuela and lives under the Chavez regime where people have to lock themselves in their homes after dark to avoid being robbed or kidnapped. The Cuban and Venezuelan expatriates living in exile in Miami should all pressure the Marlins into relieving Mr. Guillen from the team as soon as possible.

[sallychicago]

He's an American citizen and has homes in Puerto Rico. His family has homes in Venezuela.

[unclebernies]

He can like or dislike anyone he wants. He manages men throwing balls around to each other. Who cares.

[Lanche25]

This is how most closet liberals think anyway. They love all the Power hungry killers. Lenin, Stalin, Chavez, Mao. They have always appreciate little power hungry monsters that have complete control over them because they can not think for themselves.

[tiredofeverything]

You're an idiot

[rharrin1]

You didn't mention the republican christian conservatives putting bush in office.

[jimbo31521]

This is America. We have freedom of speech.