Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen was suspended for five games Tuesday for his comments about Fidel Castro.
Suspension by the team effective immediately. It was announced shortly before Guillen was to hold a press conference to clarify his statement, which caused a public backlash.
Guillen told Time magazine that she loves and respects the retired Cuban leader Fidel Castro stay in power for so long. At least two local officials Guillen should lose their job.
"The Marlins recognize the seriousness of the remarks attributed to Guillen," said a statement from the team. "The pain and suffering caused by Fidel Castro can not be understated, especially in an environment inhabited by the victims of the dictatorship."
Only five games into his tenure with the Marlins, Guillen left the team in Philadelphia and flew to Miami to apologize to the new Marlins ballpark. The Marlins and Phillies have a day off and continue their series in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Outside the entrance to the ballpark, protesters shouted that the press conference began. Guillen began speaking in Spanish.
Meeting at the ballpark attracted a high turnout, including two dozen television cameras lined the back. Among those present were President David Samson and Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest.
Political storm arrived shortly after they opened last week in the approximate neighborhood of Miami Little Havana Marlins. The team is trying to rebuild a fan base with a large population of South Florida Cuban-Americans.
Guillen apologized last week after the story broke, but some Cuban Americans, unfortunately remain. One group planned a demonstration on Tuesday before Guillen said he would go to Miami.
Francis Suarez, president of the Miami city commission, said that Guillen should be fired. Joe Martinez, President of County Commissioners of Miami-Dade, said Guillen was forced to resign.
Polarizing comments are nothing new for Guillen, who used to insult gay referring to the journalist, defended illegal immigrants, and last week, he says he drinks to excess after the match as and have been doing for years.
ozzie guillen
Suspension by the team effective immediately. It was announced shortly before Guillen was to hold a press conference to clarify his statement, which caused a public backlash.
Guillen told Time magazine that she loves and respects the retired Cuban leader Fidel Castro stay in power for so long. At least two local officials Guillen should lose their job.
"The Marlins recognize the seriousness of the remarks attributed to Guillen," said a statement from the team. "The pain and suffering caused by Fidel Castro can not be understated, especially in an environment inhabited by the victims of the dictatorship."
Only five games into his tenure with the Marlins, Guillen left the team in Philadelphia and flew to Miami to apologize to the new Marlins ballpark. The Marlins and Phillies have a day off and continue their series in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Outside the entrance to the ballpark, protesters shouted that the press conference began. Guillen began speaking in Spanish.
Meeting at the ballpark attracted a high turnout, including two dozen television cameras lined the back. Among those present were President David Samson and Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest.
Political storm arrived shortly after they opened last week in the approximate neighborhood of Miami Little Havana Marlins. The team is trying to rebuild a fan base with a large population of South Florida Cuban-Americans.
Guillen apologized last week after the story broke, but some Cuban Americans, unfortunately remain. One group planned a demonstration on Tuesday before Guillen said he would go to Miami.
Francis Suarez, president of the Miami city commission, said that Guillen should be fired. Joe Martinez, President of County Commissioners of Miami-Dade, said Guillen was forced to resign.
Polarizing comments are nothing new for Guillen, who used to insult gay referring to the journalist, defended illegal immigrants, and last week, he says he drinks to excess after the match as and have been doing for years.
ozzie guillen
