Just In! MLB: Ozzie Guillen Suspended 5 Games

Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

Before Miami Marlins manager took the podium in his own defense Tuesday morning, the Marlins announced he has been suspended for five games due to his comments about Fidel Castro.

After creating a firestorm of controversy among Miami’s Cuban-American community with his remarks about Fidel Castro, Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen will hold a press conference Tuesday at the team’s new ballpark to again apologize and answer questions about why he said what he said.

Guillen, who is Venezuelan, told Time magazine that he respected Castro for being able to stay in power so long. When Guillen read his comments Friday, he said he felt sick because he knew how people would react and apologized.

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

Both the comment and the apology did not sit well with some in Miami’s Cuban-American community.

Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman wrote a letter to Marlins owner Jeffery Loria asking him to fire Guillen.

“In light of his comments regarding Fidel Castro, I ask for the resignation of the Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen. I ask for the support of all those who have suffered cruelty and violation of human rights anywhere in the world. Mr Guillen should be ashamed of feeling respect for Fidel Castro or any dictator that oppresses the citizens of a country,” Martinez wrote.

In response to the magazine story, the Marlins, whose new ballpark is in Little Havana, home to many Cuban exiles, released a statement saying, “We are aware of the article. 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.”

Gustavo Gross, whose family left Cuba because of Castro thinks Guillen needs to get in touch with the pulse of Miami’s baseball community.

“I think Ozzie really needs to dig deep and really educate himself and really re-evaluate and get back in touch with the community,” said Gross.  “If he’s going to be representing us as a Marlin manager, he really needs to know where he’s coming from.”

Sweetwater Mayor Manny Maroño said he’s like to see the Marlins impose some sort of penalty on Guillen.

“Just when our community begins to recover from the bad stadium deal negotiated with the Marlins, the Cuban community gets hit with the insensitive comments made by Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen,” said Maroño.  “Guillen should be penalized by the Marlins administration for his insensitive comments that have insulted our residents and muddied the new face of what can be a stellar organization.”

A group of Cuban-Americans is planning to caravan from Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana to Marlins Park on Tuesday to demand that Guillen step down.

WRITTEN BY CBS Miami & FULL STORY HERE