Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen is never afraid to share his thoughts, which is what makes him such an attractive interview subject. GQ Magazine interviewed Guillen using his favorite social media tool, Twitter, for its April issue. The results, as usual were candid and all over the place.
First, the baseball stuff. Guillen repeated what he has said often this spring: Shortstop Hanley Ramirez "can be the best player in baseball." When GQ asked what position he will be playing, Guillen simply replied, "3rd base and hitting 3rd."
Perhaps this interview was conducted when there was still a question whether Ramirez would accept a move from shortstop to accommodate new teammate Jose Reyes. By now, it is clear that Ramirez is on board. Besides being a model citizen during Spring Training, he has tweeted a photo of he and Reyes getting matching dye jobs in advance of opening day.
Guillen also gives a surprisingly tactful answer when asked which of the Marlins' big offseason acquisitions (including Reyes, Heath Bell and Mark Buehrle) is the most important addition. "I think getting Jose was big because he changes the team," he begins, but follows with "all those guys are awesome that's why they are getting paid so well."
He's like a seasoned parent: all his children are his favorite, none stands out above the rest. In fact, he says very much the same thing about his own kids. GQ asked which of his four sons is the biggest ladies man, and Guillen replied, "None have problem there."
Apart from the baseball nuggets, Guillen professed his love for the TV series "Eastbound and Down" ("Great show this guy [series protagonist] Kenny Powers is just honest") and Cake Boss ("I'm a big fan of that show and I hope I can be on it one day").
Most surprising was his professed loyalty to the home goods store Bed Bath & Beyond ("I only hang my clothes on wooden hangers they have the ones I use").
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Least surprising: Guillen's love for Venezuelan women. Asked whether he preferred the ladies of the U.S. or his native Venezuela, he responded, "If I don't say Venezuelan my wife will kill me."
For a guy often accused of bad behavior, he sure knows when to say the right thing.
