Sox have a quiet series in Texas
The White Sox went quietly into the night Sunday.
They barely made a peep while losing 5-0 to the Rangers on ESPN, which deserves kudos for finally trotting out a broadcast crew worth listening to — analysts Terry Francona and Orel Hershiser along with play-by-play man Dan Shulman.
As for the game, here's a quick recap: Sox starter Gavin Floyd was not nearly good enough against the American League's top hitting team.
Floyd gave up 3 home runs and got zero offensive support as the White Sox dropped two of three to Texas in their opening series of the season.
All in all, the White Sox can be satisfied with not being swept by the two-time defending American League champs.
But let's get back to the quiet part.
There has been plenty of uproar about Ozzie Guillen's ugly exit at the end of last season, and the Sox have been widely bashed for letting Guillen walk and hiring another former star player — Robin Ventura — to manage despite his complete lack of experience.
For the most part, White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and general manager Kenny Williams have hit the mute button when asked about Guillen's eight-year run as Sox manager, which included a 2005 World Series championship.
Reinsdorf did talk to The New York Times about Guillen last month, implying Ozzie's shelf life had expired on the South Side.
Without coming out and saying it on the record, Reinsdorf and Williams were happy to cut ties with all of the controversy that comes with Guillen.
And the flamboyant manager did land in a seemingly ideal spot — Miami.
The Marlins moved into a splashy new ballpark this season, they spent big money on free agents such as Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle, and luring Guillen was the cherry on top.
But less than a week into the season, Guillen already embroiled is in a major controversy.
Ozzie has been apologizing all weekend for telling Time magazine he loves Fidel Castro, a comment that prompted the Marlins to issue a statement denouncing the Cuban dictator.
Guillen told Time he admires Castro for staying in power so long, but the Marlins immediately responded with a retraction:
“There is nothing to respect about Fidel Castro. He is a brutal dictator who has caused unthinkable pain for more than 50 years. We live in a community filled with victims of this dictatorship, and the people in Cuba continue to suffer today.”
Yes, the White Sox might be boring this season.
Ventura is not going to make you react with any outrageous quotes.
It is going to be a quiet season on the South Side this year.
All things considered, the Sox welcome the change.
sgregor@dailyherald.com