A familiar face has been added to the guest list at SoxFest next weekend at the Chicago Hilton.
Former manager Ozzie Guillen, who guided the Sox to their 2005 World Series championship, has appeared at numerous other team events since he parted ways with the team, but this will be his first appearance at the the Sox’ fan convention since 2011 when his final season as Sox manager ended with a messy breakup.
“Super Excited to see all the @whitesox at Soxfest this year. Thank you to the @whitesox organization and team for inviting. Super excited,” Guillen posted on his Twitter account Tuesday.
Guillen’s relationship with the Sox, including executive vice president Ken Williams, has gradually mended after his stormy departure in 2011, when he was hired to manage the Marlins with a year left on his Sox contract. Guillen still makes his home in Chicago and has become more visible around the ballpark, both as an occasional spectator and participant at team functions as well as a television analyst.
Guillen, who was fired by the Marlins after one season, is managing in the winter leagues in Venezuela and has expressed a desire to return to managing in the majors, but the 2005 American League Manager of the Year’s fiery, brash style seems to no longer fit the profile today’s front offices seek. The Sox replaced him with Robin Ventura in 2011.
Guillen says he’s a different man now after becoming a grandfather for the first time.
“My life changed, it changes everything,’’ Guillen told the Sun-Times recently. “I’m more calm, more nice, more patient.’’
In any event, Guillen’s presence will be felt – and welcome – at SoxFest 2019.
Other new additions to SoxFest include first baseman Yonder Alonso, acquired in a trade this offseason, minor-league catcher Seby Zavala and Hall-of-Famer Frank Thomas and two-sport legend Bo Jackson, the latter two former teammates of Guillien.
They join a list that includes third-year manager Rick Renteria, team members José Abreu, Tim Anderson, Nicky Delmonico, Adam Engel, Jace Fry, Leury García, Lucas Giolito, Michael Kopech, Reynaldo López, Yoán Moncada, Daniel Palka and Yolmer Sánchez.
Top prospects Eloy Jimenez, Dylan Cease, Micker Adolfo, Luis Basabe, Zack Collins, Nick Madrigal and Luis Robert are also expected, as well as newly elected Hall-of-Famer Harold Baines, Hall-of-Famers Jim Thome, Carlton Fisk and Tim Raines and ambassadors Ken Harrelson, Carlos May and Bill Melton.
Former outfielder Dewayne Wise, who made the catch above the center field wall to preserve Mark Buehrle’s perfect game in 2009, will be celebrated as the exclusive SoxFest 2019 bobblehead.
Saturday-only passes are sold out for the event. A limited number of Sunday-only and two-day passes are available. Passes are available for $40 for a Sunday-only and $75 for a Saturday and Sunday pass.
