Many remain at odds with Ozzie

Many remain at odds with Ozzie

Drew Hallowell/Getty Images

Ozzie Guillen’s praises for Fidel Castro are even causing a stir in the Marlins manager’s home country of Venezuela. 

CARACAS One of Venezuelas native sons is taking more verbal brushback pitches than bean balls from baseball fans reacting to the Ozzie Guillen imbroglio.

Two days after the new Marlins manager was suspended five games for praising Cuban dictator Fidel Castro in a Time article, the fallout is still reverberating in Guillens home country.

But the Venezuela bark is not nearly as loud as the outcry in Miami, home to many Cuban-Americans.

I think Guillen should have the freedom to say what he wants, but he is also in a position of power and he should have been more careful because of the community around him, Gabriela Alnaure said while dining at La Castanuela restaurant. Hes a role model to many people here for what hes accomplished in baseball.

Part of the problem is that Guillen has waffled on his views of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, who is one of Castros allies. In a 2005 YouTube clip after he managed the White Sox to a World Series title, Guillen is seen saying Viva Chavez, or Long live Chavez.

But when he made a public apology this week in Miami, Guillen told a Venezuelan TV reporter that he would rat her be dead than vote for Chavez.

Newspapers here have sparse opinion pieces in the sports sections, with articles mainly reporting the response in the U.S.

A waiter at a Marriott hotel in downtown Caracas said he hoped Guillens Marlins lose all their games after the Castro remarks, but others feel less ire toward the fiery Guillen.

I respect the opinion of the Venezuelan Guillen and I respect him as a manager, said Freddy Anez. I dont think politics should be brought into the discussion.