Guillen has words of warning for Tigers’ Cabrera
GLENDALE, Ariz. — White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen didn’t get a chance to talk to Miguel Cabrera on Friday, but his wife Ibis did speak with Cabrera’s wife.
Late Wednesday, Cabrera was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in Fort Pierce, Fla.
The Tigers’ slugger also ran into some alcohol-related trouble at the end of the 2009 season when the White Sox were in Detroit.
Guillen and former Sox pitcher Freddy Garcia were both linked to the incident, but both denied being with Cabrera when he was later involved in a domestic dispute.
A close friend of Cabrera, Guillen does plan on reaching out to the all-star first baseman.
“I will talk to him, but he’s got to learn from this,” Guillen said. “You learn from your mistakes. I hope people forget about it because I don’t wish anybody that kind of thing. But people look up to him. Obviously his family is embarrassed and they should be embarrassed. But like I said (Thursday), it’s sad.
“Sometimes you think you’re invincible. You make a mistake and the general manager has to talk, the family has to talk, he has to talk. It’s not an easy situation.”
Cabrera is reportedly heading to the Tigers’ training camp Saturday and he plans on making a formal apology.
On the line:
With position players due in by Tuesday, manager Ozzie Guillen is already tinkering with the starting lineup.
“The ideal lineup is (Alex) Rios bating third, then (Adam) Dunn, PK (Paul Konerko and Carlos (Quentin),” Guillen said. “Hopefully, Rios swings the bat the way he did last year and so does Quentin, then everything’s set. And we want a lot of speed at the top and bottom because in middle we are very slow.”
Compare and contrast:
Most of the Sox’ marginal pitchers threw off the mound Friday on the second day of camp, a day after the front-liners threw.
“You can see the difference in the sides,” manager Ozzie Guillen said. “(Thursday), all the big boys were trying to get ready and get loose and when you see those kids come today just blowing gas, it’s fun. I think we have good arms.”
Phil Humber, who is in the mix to start if Jake Peavy is not ready to go, attracted the most attention Friday.
“We had a little meeting this morning and we said: ‘Don’t count yourself out,’” Guillen said. “You never know what’s going to happen. Every game we’re going to be watching very carefully.”