A week after Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen's public apology for recent remarks regarding Fidel Castro, "there are hints that his remarks have done some damage," as Miami-based Medicare health plan Preferred Care Partners has notified the Marlins that it "wanted the company’s signage removed from the stadium’s right-field wall 'until this situation runs its course,'" according to a front-page piece by Adam Beasley of the MIAMI HERALD. Preferred Care co-Founder & President Justo Luis Pozo sent a letter last Friday to the Marlins indicating the company's desire, a "serious reminder of the consequences of Guillen’s words." Pozo explained that Cuban-Americans "make up a strong share of the health plan’s membership, and many of them were wronged by what he called Guillen’s 'irresponsible and inconceivable conduct.'" The letter "did not specifically request a refund for the removed advertisements, and Pozo did say he hopes to work with the Marlins in the future." Preferred Care had previously agreed "to sponsor Josh Johnson bobblehead night, set for June 27." Last night's game against the Cubs was Guillen's first following his five-game suspension for his comments, and there was just "one lonely protester at the ballpark an hour before" the game. Perhaps Guillen’s "emotional mea culpa, along [with] his weeklong banishment from the Marlins’ clubhouse, was enough to satisfy the aggrieved." Beasley notes on the whole, the Marlins "have to be pretty pleased with how Guillen’s return was received." The "surprisingly light crowd didn’t break into any 'Fire Ozzie' chants, and there were no signs condemning the Venezuelan-born skipper in the stands" (MIAMI HERALD, 4/18). In West Palm Beach, Dave George notes there were "no boos or angry shouts when Guillen came into sight for batting practice, or later, when more fans were in the stadium for the start of the game." There was "little reaction of any kind aimed at Guillen" (PALM BEACH POST, 4/18).
REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY: In Ft. Lauderdale, Juan Rodriguez reports the Marlins "plan to donate the wages Guillen lost during his suspension (about $150,000) to Cuban rights causes and other charities related to Cuban-Americans." Guillen also wants to be a "visible presence in the Cuban exile community and make it known he's 100 percent behind them" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 4/18). USA TODAY's Paul White notes the "emotional reaction still runs deep in the Little Havana section that surrounds the new stadium." Marlins President David Samson said that the team "hadn't lost any sponsors" as a result of Guillen's comments. Samson said, "He's here to win games. It's not marketing. It's not sales. It's to win games. Let's win games and see what happens after" (USA TODAY, 4/18).
SHOWING SELF RESTRAINT: In Ft. Lauderdale, Mike Berardino writes, "It would be a shame if baseball's first self-styled shock manager suddenly started trying to pattern himself after Joe Girardi or Buck Showalter." That is "not going to happen, not in this lifetime, but it was a chastened Guillen who promised to watch his step upon his return." He talked yesterday about "putting himself on 'probation' to make sure his sharp tongue doesn't get him in trouble again." Berardino: "Or worse, embarrass the franchise" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 4/18).
