NEW YORK -- Ozzie Guillen was fined and ordered to attend sensitivity training Thursday as commissioner Bud Selig punished the outspoken Chicago White Sox manager for using a slur during a tirade against a sports columnist.
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In a separate penalty, Guillen was suspended for one game, punishment for reliever David Riske intentionally hitting St. Louis' Chris Duncan with a pitch Tuesday night. Riske drew a three-game suspension, but appealed.
Guillen went into a profanity-laced tirade against Chicago Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti and called him a number of names, including a derogatory term that is often used to describe sexual orientation.
"Ozzie Guillen used language that is offensive and completely unacceptable," Selig said in a statement. "Baseball is a social institution with responsibility to set appropriate tone and example. Conduct or language that reflects otherwise will not be tolerated. The use of slurs embarrasses the individual, the club and the game."
Guillen met with reporters Thursday before leaving U.S. Cellular Field to serve his suspension, saying as he did Wednesday that he used the wrong word. He said he agreed with Selig's punishment. He also vowed not to let up on Mariotti.
"The commissioner did what he had to do," Guillen said. "They don't agree with what I say. Me either. I agree with what I say about Jay. ... I'm not going to change. One thing I'm going to make clear is I apologize to the community, but to Jay, no chance. This thing is on and on for good."
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| Ozzie Guillen isn't afraid to speak out ... even if it means putting his foot in his mouth. (Getty Images) |
Guillen said he wasn't sure what sensitivity training would entail, but would abide by the ruling.
"What class? What is it? Mr. Selig said I have to do something about this," Guillen said. "It was not good for me and baseball to be involved in this."
Guillen said team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf "reprimanded me as a friend."
"Jerry is behind Major League Baseball about this decision to fine me. I respect that. It's good for baseball because I put Bud Selig in a spot he's not supposed to be. It's done and hopefully we will learn from this and move on."
Mariotti recently was critical of Guillen's handling of rookie pitcher Sean Tracey, who could be seen distraught in the dugout last week in Texas after Guillen became angry when the White Sox didn't retaliate for catcher A.J. Pierzynski twice being hit with pitches. Tracey was later demoted to the minors.
Riske was suspended three games by the commissioner's office for intentionally throwing at Duncan, and Guillen got a one-game ban. He and Riske were each fined an undisclosed amount by Bob Watson, vice president of on-field operations for Major League Baseball.
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