(CBS) Earlier this week, former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen – in the most delicate way he could – admitted he would have interest in returning to manage the franchise in the future.
While it was a hypothetical question and a simple, honest answer from a man who never shies from the spotlight, there did come a great deal of buzz with his words, for the White Sox currently have Robin Ventura entrenched in his third year at the helm.
Adding to the discussion was the fact that Guillen and White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf recently took a big first step toward a better relationship after a conversation at the wedding of Guillen's son.
''I wish,'' Guillen told the Sun-Times when asked if he could see himself as the White Sox manager again. ''But if I say yes, then I don't respect Robin Ventura. But that's not where I'm coming from. When Robin gets tired of managing or he's had enough, I would like to be back. But it's up to them. If I wear a uniform and it's the White Sox, that will be special."
On Friday, longtime White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper, who worked under Guillen from 2004-'11 in Chicago, shared his thoughts on Guillen's take.
To put it simply, he didn't have many.
"I don't think anything of (the comments)," Cooper told the Mully and Hanley Show on 670 The Score. "That's not for me to see, think about, worry about. I wish Ozzie nothing but the best. That's just the way it is. I have no feelings toward him or anybody. I'm just grateful for all the times we all had together. I'm grateful for the times I've had with the Chicago White Sox, period.
"I've got no real thoughts on comments like that. Whatever he wants, I hope he gets."
Guillen and Cooper had a public feud in fall 2011, after Guillen helped orchestrate his way out of town to manage in Miami and Cooper went to then-general manager Kenny Williams to get a new contract to remain in Chicago.
In other news, Cooper added that reliever Matt Lindstrom is "on the radar" now for making a return next month.
"Maybe early to mid-August if everything goes really, really well," Cooper said.
Lindstrom is recovering from left ankle surgery. The White Sox bullpen has been perhaps the team's biggest weakness this season.
Cooper: 'Don't Think Anything' Of Guillen's Managerial Comments
/ CBS Chicago
(CBS) Earlier this week, former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen – in the most delicate way he could – admitted he would have interest in returning to manage the franchise in the future.
While it was a hypothetical question and a simple, honest answer from a man who never shies from the spotlight, there did come a great deal of buzz with his words, for the White Sox currently have Robin Ventura entrenched in his third year at the helm.
Adding to the discussion was the fact that Guillen and White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf recently took a big first step toward a better relationship after a conversation at the wedding of Guillen's son.
''I wish,'' Guillen told the Sun-Times when asked if he could see himself as the White Sox manager again. ''But if I say yes, then I don't respect Robin Ventura. But that's not where I'm coming from. When Robin gets tired of managing or he's had enough, I would like to be back. But it's up to them. If I wear a uniform and it's the White Sox, that will be special."
On Friday, longtime White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper, who worked under Guillen from 2004-'11 in Chicago, shared his thoughts on Guillen's take.
To put it simply, he didn't have many.
"I don't think anything of (the comments)," Cooper told the Mully and Hanley Show on 670 The Score. "That's not for me to see, think about, worry about. I wish Ozzie nothing but the best. That's just the way it is. I have no feelings toward him or anybody. I'm just grateful for all the times we all had together. I'm grateful for the times I've had with the Chicago White Sox, period.
"I've got no real thoughts on comments like that. Whatever he wants, I hope he gets."
Guillen and Cooper had a public feud in fall 2011, after Guillen helped orchestrate his way out of town to manage in Miami and Cooper went to then-general manager Kenny Williams to get a new contract to remain in Chicago.
In other news, Cooper added that reliever Matt Lindstrom is "on the radar" now for making a return next month.
"Maybe early to mid-August if everything goes really, really well," Cooper said.
Lindstrom is recovering from left ankle surgery. The White Sox bullpen has been perhaps the team's biggest weakness this season.
In:
Featured Local Savings
CBS News Chicago
Bears ready to move past Wild Card win to focus on Rams at Soldier Field
Bears' playoff run could shift political landscape of push for new stadium
Creative therapies offer free mental health support in Richardson
Rogers' boys hockey players weigh juniors against hometown bonds
Steelers battered by Texans in wild-card playoff loss
Kickoff time announced for Broncos playoff game at Mile High
Bill Courtney, Temple's men's assistant basketball coach, dies at 55
Vikings' leadership charts path at QB crossroads