The Miami Marlins have only played a handful of games this spring, but manager Ozzie Guillen is already in midseason form. 

 

In a Spring Training game against the Boston Red Sox on Monday, not only did Guillen get ejected for arguing a call with the first base umpire, he also had some choice words for Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine after the game.

 

In the top of the sixth inning, with runners on second and third base, Miami minor leaguer Terry Tiffee hit a ground ball down the first base line that was ruled foul. Guillen quickly emerged from the dugout to dispute the call with first base umpire Tim Timmons, who ejected him.

 

"My first base coach told me the ball was fair," Guillen said after the game. "That happens. Spring training for everyone."

 

Guillen said this was not the first time he's been ejected from a Spring Training game. "What's the difference between spring training and during the season?" he asked. "I do my job. My job is to protect the player. I don't see this game different than other games."

 

As he exited the field, Valentine waved towards Guillen. When asked after the game about Valentine's wave, Guillen said he did not see it, but said if he did, "I would have told him to go (expletive himself), too. That's the way Ozzie Guillen is."

 

Tiffee said after the game, "If he doesn't agree with something, he's going to let you know. I don't mind that in a manager. He's got your back." 

 

The Marlins knew they were getting a live wire when they hired Guillen last fall, but they probably didn't count on him to pop off during the eighth game of Spring Training. Not that any of it matters (this was a Spring Training game, after all), but at least Guillen's charges know that he plans to take every game seriously this season, no matter how inconsequential it may seem.