With Ozzie Guillen, The Apples Don't Fall Far From the Tree

Hey, Mariotti, guess who's started his pro baseball career?

Yeah, Jay, it's another Guillen.

Oney, 21, middle son of Ozzie, played his first pro game Wednesday night in Bluefield, West Virginia at second base, finishing with a double in four at-bats.

Oney, picked by the White Sox in the 36th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, knows it's a lot of work from here on out.

"I've got a lot of chip on my shoulder and I want to prove something, that I'm there for a reason. This is the organization I know, and it's going to be a really good experience overall. But I want to earn my spot."

He's got a lot of chip on his shoulder? Oh my God, he is just like his dad.

When asked about Oney, Ozzie tried for tough talk but the total love for his kid oozed out the edges.

"Good things are really going to happen for him. He's going to be hanging around with the real people who have to work so hard. Show up at 12 o'clock, when it's 100 degrees. He won't be sitting next to me on the plane. He'll be on the bus. He's doing what he wants and I'm very proud.

"As a father, the only thing I told him is to make sure you stay away from stuff that will make you embarrassed. People will judge you because of your last name, but go there, and good or bad, just be Oney. As a coach, I told him to go play hard, and do whatever the manager tells him to do. Don't forget he's another one of the bunch. He's not Ozzie Guillen's kid."

Apparently, there is even more talent in the wings. According to reports, younger brother Ozney Guillen, 15, has the chance to be a top-round draft pick and the talent to put up better career numbers than his father.

Guillen jokes that his eldest, Ozzie, Jr., will represent his two younger brothers. (Why do I get the feeling he might not be kidding?)

Here's a shot of Ozzie, his lovely wife Ibis, and the three kids. Seriously, could ya just hug them all?


Just one little nit to pick, though.

I'm cool with Ozzie, Jr. But Onie? and Ozney? I mean, how did you call these kids down for breakfast?

"Ozzie, get Onie and Ozney, Ozney, find Ozzie, Oney, where's Ozney?"

It's enough to give Abbott and Costello a headache.



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