"Jon you hate me and always bad mouth me" - Former MLB player Ozzie Guillen challenges insider to a fight following Jon Heyman's Tweet
Ozzie Guillen publicly criticized MLB insider Jon Heyman on Twitter. Guillen is a former player for and one-time manager of the Chicago White Sox. He is currently a studio analyst for the White Sox.
In a post-game show on NBC Sports Chicago, Guillen referred to Tony LaRussa, the current manager of the White Sox, as "Rick Renteria with credentials." Rick Renteria is a former infielder and ex-manager of the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox. Over his three seasons with the White Sox, he had a losing record of 236-309.
The Chicago White Sox have had a miserable season this year. As a result, Tony La Russa has received plenty of flak. Ozzie recently jumped on board.
Following Guillen's public criticism of LaRussa, Jon Heyman called Guillen out on Twitter.
Will be interesting to see if it’s possible to get someone’s job by insulting them on a postgame show twitter.com/rickgregg/stat…
"Will be interesting to see if it’s possible to get someone’s job by insulting them on a postgame show." - Jon Heyman
In response to Jon's bold tweet, a verbal duel took place.
Ozzie Guillen and Jon Heyman engage in a battle of words
Ozzie took notice of Jon's tweet and resorted to his own Twitter handle to express his grievances.
My wife will be mad but tired of this liar talking about me. Your a jelous man that me with shit English do the job you do. All you do is lie about stories. I get paid to talk baseball just like you. I said I love Tony but I gave my opinion and he know how I feel. You always hate twitter.com/jonheyman/stat…
"I get paid to talk baseball just like you. I said I love Tony but I gave my opinion and he know how I feel. You always hate." - Ozzie Guillen
Two minutes later, Ozzie slammed Jon on his tweet with a row of responses.
@JonHeyman Hate me why? Because of bad English? Because I won? Am loud? Good looking? Rich? I don't need to insult anyone to get a job. Maybe you think I do. Tired you putting me down. Maybe you think you can because your privilege and I am not?
"I don't need to insult anyone to get a job. Maybe you think I do. Tired you putting me down." - Ozzie Guillen
Ozzie asked Jon not to badmouth without knowing the situation between himself and Tony.
@JonHeyman I have always defended Tony because I love the guy in many ways. So don't talk shit without knowing who I talk to and what I say. My wife will be piss and I have changed but you asked for it. You clown. You will never be better then anything you do in life including tv. Payaso
"So don't talk shit without knowing who I talk to and what I say." - Ozzie Guillen
Hours later, he extended his apology to NBC Chicago and his family for losing his calm.
I apologize to @NBCSChicago and my family but tired of Jon Heyman using me as his punching bag. He is not here in Chicago he don't know anything stop lying stealing people money with bad stories. Am a man before it all and I won't let him insult me like that.
"I apologize to @NBCSChicago and my family but tired of Jon Heyman using me as his punching bag." - Ozzie Guillen
The last nail in the coffin was Ozzie openly challenging Jon for a boxing match.
Jon you hate me and always bad mouth me. Let's settle it. Let's raise money Jon me and you the ring. Whatever money we raise goes to charity. I am not perfect, but tired you hiding behind you a writer.
"Jon you hate me and always bad mouth me. Let's settle it. Let's raise money Jon me and you the ring. Whatever money we raise goes to charity." - Ozzie Guillen
A battle of words between Jon and Ozzie followed. Jon couldn't hold back and responded to one of Ozzie's tweets.
Ozzie's tweet:
My wife will be mad but tired of this liar talking about me. Your a jelous man that me with shit English do the job you do. All you do is lie about stories. I get paid to talk baseball just like you. I said I love Tony but I gave my opinion and he know how I feel. You always hate twitter.com/jonheyman/stat…
"My wife will be mad but tired of this liar talking about me. Your a jelous man that me with shit English do the job you do. All you do is lie about stories. I get paid to talk baseball just like you. I said I love Tony but I gave my opinion and he know how I feel. You always hate." - Ozzie Guillen
Jon's response:
@OzzieGuillen You’re claiming when you said he’s Rick Renteria w/credentials that was a compliment? That’s u being negatuve, not me. I also know you interviewed in SD after saying u didn’t want to manage. It is true I’ve been negative on u after observing u up close in Miami — just my opinion.
"You’re claiming when you said he’s Rick Renteria w/credentials that was a compliment? That’s u being negatuve, not me." - Jon Heyman
Ozzie replied back that the argument had grown beyond baseball and had become a personal issue.
@JonHeyman Not even about baseball anymore with you is personal so Lets make it personal
"Not even about baseball anymore with you is personal so Lets make it personal." - Ozzie
MLB insider, Jon Heyman replied:
@OzzieGuillen I will not box you as you challenged but will agree to give $500 to the charity of your choice if you do the same for mine. And we can call a truce then if you like.
"I will not box you as you challenged but will agree to give $500 to the charity of your choice if you do the same for mine. And we can call a truce then if you like." - Jon Heyman
With the incessant mud-slinging coming from both sides, it feels like a chaotic situation. Let's hope it is resolved peacefully and soon.