Sox Drawer: Ozzie Twitter Mania!

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Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010
8:00 PM

By Chuck Garfien
CSNChicago.com

Who knows how big the Twitter universe is right now, but when news spread Tuesday night that a certain White Sox manager had surprisingly entered it, somebodys world was shaken to its core.

That of Kenny Williams.

The Sox GM who likes to describe Guillen as an interesting case study, suddenly had a whole different project on his hands; Ozzie joining Twitter, where the outspoken manager would have free reign to share his unique thoughtsand at all hours of the day and night.

What is entertainment to some (you and me), is a migraine to others (Williams and Jerry Reinsdorf).

But before the team worked out on Wednesday morning, there was Ozzie and Kenny, not talking about Alex Rios reporting to camp or how Gordon Beckham looks at second base, but instead this new form of social media that is spreading the internet like an explosive virus.

If Kenny was upset, I dont blame him because he wants to know whats going on, wants to know why, wants to know what I talk about, Guillen said. I just said its a personal thing. I want to have fun like anybody else does.

So far, that has meant Ozzie tweeting about dinner:

Going to eat in half hour

Spring training:

Im already boredddddddd

His friend named Jermaine:

Why Dye no have a job

But in the hours after the controversy erupted, his tweets have changed to Spanish. Such as:
Tengo 15 dias sin tomar pero provoca una polarcita

Translation: I havent had a drink in 15 days.

These might not be the most earth-shattering comments youll find on the web, but who am I to talk? Ozzie has quickly assembled a massive legion of Twitter followers; over 8,000 as I write this. By comparison, I have around 940 followers, and Ive been on it since July.

I think thats called Twitter envy. Or is it Twinvy?

I didnt know how famous I was, Guillen said about his Twitter fame. Thats pretty interesting. I thought people hated me.

But if youre hoping that Ozzie will be tweeting his inner most secrets during actual baseball games...about strategy, player injuries, what he had for breakfast...thats not going to happen.

I told Kenny Im not going to be crazy, Guillen said. You think Im going to be watching the guys practice and Im going to be on my phone tweeting people. First of all, I dont have time for that. Second of all, I respect this game so much, I respect the players, I respect the game too much Im not going to do it, even if I want to Im not going to.

But at this rate, Guillen is going to catch up with some high-ranking celebrities who have become Twitter sensations, like a famous pop superstar.

Watch out Madonna, Im behind you, Guillen warned.

And if Twitter was to ever start paying Guillen for his tweets, watch out White Sox.

If I was making money on this, I dont care who told me, Jerry, Kenny, my mom, my dad, Ill tell them screw themselves. I dont make money on this. I just want to have fun. (But) if there was money involved in this situation, Im pretty sure Id get fired because I would fight for it.

We'll see how long it takes for Williams to ring the bell.

Chuck Garfien hosts White Sox Pregame and Postgame Live on Comcast SportsNet with former Sox slugger Bill Melton. Follow Chuck @ChuckGarfien on Twitter for up-to-the-minute Sox news and views.

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