Ozzie Guillén's number 13 retired by White Sox; Venezuelan proud to represent his country

The Chicago White Sox honored Venezuelan baseball legend Ozzie Guillén by retiring his iconic number 13 jersey in a ceremony. Guillén, who played shortstop for the White Sox for 13 seasons, expressed deep pride in representing his native Venezuela and elevating its name on the international stage.

"I am proud to put the name of my country the way it has to be," Guillén stated following the ceremony, reflecting on his career. He indicated that this recognition signifies the closing chapter of his baseball career, and he now looks forward to dedicating more time to his family and pursuing other ventures.

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I am proud to put the name of my country the way it has to be.

Guillén, who became the first Latin American manager to win a World Series in 2005 with the White Sox, declared his intention to step away from managing. "From here on, I am not going to be a manager anywhere; I have taken that out of my brain," he said. He also mentioned his desire to continue improving and focusing on ongoing projects, particularly in television.

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From here on, I am not going to be a manager anywhere; I have taken that out of my brain.

He extended special gratitude to his wife, Ibis Cárdenas, for her unwavering support throughout his professional journey. "I said her name had to be next to that retired number because the luckiest man in baseball is me for being with such an excellent woman as her," Guillén shared.

Guillén's illustrious career includes three All-Star selections, a Gold Glove award in 1990, and the Rookie of the Year award in 1985 as a player. As a manager, he accumulated 678 wins between 2004 and 2011, leading the White Sox to their first World Series title in 88 years.

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I said her name had to be next to that retired number because the luckiest man in baseball is me for being with such an excellent woman as her.