Guillen named TYIB's top manager

[Pierzynski 12]

CHICAGO -- Even before the baseball pundits recognized Ozzie Guillen as a championship-caliber manager, or even a manager who could lead a team to some form of success, it was the fans of the game who stood by and supported the fiery and charismatic leader.

So, it seems only fitting that Guillen's latest Manager of the Year award has come from the public itself. After being honored by the Baseball Writers' Association of America and by Baseball America, Guillen has been chosen as This Year in Baseball's top manager. With 22.5 percent of the vote, Guillen edged out Yankees skipper Joe Torre (19.7) and Cardinals manager Tony La Russa (14.3) for the award.

 

Atlanta's Bobby Cox, one of Guillen's mentors, finished fourth with 11.9 percent of the vote.

 

Guillen was just one of two White Sox winners in these particular awards. Neal Cotts (21.7 percent) beat out Houston's Dan Wheeler, the Yankees' Tom Gordon and teammate Cliff Politte for the Setup Man of the Year award. Mark Buehrle finished second to St. Louis right-hander Chris Carpenter for Starter of the Year.

 

MLB.com started the "This Year in Baseball Awards" in 2002 to give fans the opportunity to express their opinions on the top players, managers and moments from each season. The voting for this year's award began on Oct. 31 and concluded Dec. 9 at 11 p.m. CT. The winners were announced live on MLB.com at 12 p.m. on Thursday. The awards will be presented to winners during pregame, on-field ceremonies early next season.

 

The success for Guillen in 2005 goes far beyond any mere award -- or two or three. The Venezuelan hero was part architect, part psychiatrist and even part task master, from time to time, as the White Sox won a World Series title for the first time since 1917.

 

Not only did the White Sox capture baseball's championship, but they did so with 99 victories during the regular season and then an amazing 11-1 record during the postseason. For a few brief moments after his team swept the Astros in the Fall Classic, Guillen entertained thoughts of walking away after reaching the managerial pinnacle.

 

Now, Guillen only can think about bringing a second straight title to chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, general manager Ken Williams and the city of Chicago. It was Guillen who pushed for the change to smart ball in 2005, with slugging stalwarts such as Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Lee leaving, and Scott Podsednik, A.J. Pierzynski and strong pitching coming in.

 

In 2006, Guillen will have to deal with more change, including the exits of Aaron Rowand and Frank Thomas, and the addition of Jim Thome and Rob Mackowiak. But Guillen believes his team might even be stronger than the historic crew from 2005, if it comes together under his leadership.

 

"In the Winter Meetings, yes," said Guillen, when asked if the White Sox were a better team than 2005. "I don't know by the end of the season. Last year, when I left Anaheim, I hated to come to the Winter Meetings. We didn't get anything done, and I was very disappointed.

 

"All of a sudden Kenny and [director of player development] David Wilder and [assistant general manager] Rick Hahn, they pull the trigger when I was in Venezuela and we have a good ballclub. The way we are set right now, I'm happy with it.

 

"I've always believed that you are good when you perform," Guillen added. "We lost one of my favorite players in Aaron, but that's part of the game. Hopefully, these guys stick together and try to win another title."

 

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb...t=.jsp&c_id=cws

 

Congrats Ozzie!!