Ozzie Guillen Goes Off on MLB Reporter, Challenges Him to Boxing Match

Also in Traina Thoughts: A new ‘SI Media Podcast’ has dropped; Tom Brady clarifies Donald Trump relationship; Vintage Charles Barkley and more.

1. Ozzie Guillen has had enough of New York Post baseball reporter Jon Heyman.

Guillen, who managed the White Sox from 2004 to ’11, currently works in studio for NBC Sports Chicago and appears on the team’s pregame and postgame shows.

With the White Sox struggling this season at 43–45 and many people calling for the team to fire manager Tony La Russa, Heyman took to Twitter to accuse Guillen of angling for La Russa’s job based on recent comments Guillen has made on television.

Heyman’s snarky comment did not sit well with Guillen, who used Twitter to call Heyman among, other things, a liar, a clown and a hater while also challenge him to a charity boxing match (which we would LOVE to see happen).

This all started on Tuesday when Guillen said on the postgame show that La Russa “looks like Rick Renteria with credentials.” Renteria notched a 236–309 record as White Sox manager from 2017 to ’20 before being replaced by La Russa.

If you watch the full context of Guillen’s comments, it’s clear to see that he said absolutely nothing wrong or out of line.

Ozzie Guillen & Scott Podsednik have had enough

Podsednik: "We need to hear Tony [La Russa] say 'the way we're taking the field and what we're doing is unacceptable.'"

Ozzie: "I want him [La Russa] to be THAT guy. The White Sox need THAT guy." pic.twitter.com/p1L48eJPg4

— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) July 12, 2022

For some unknown reason, though, Heyman got all worked up about Guillen comparing La Russa to Renteria, so he fired up the Twitter app and basically said that Guillen was knocking La Russa in hopes of getting La Russa’s job.

From there, all hell broke loose, with Guillen sending out a string of tweets in which he unloaded on Heyman.

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?

— Ozzie Guillen (@OzzieGuillen) July 13, 2022

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

— Ozzie Guillen (@OzzieGuillen) July 13, 2022

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.

— Ozzie Guillen (@OzzieGuillen) July 13, 2022

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.

— Ozzie Guillen (@OzzieGuillen) July 13, 2022

Not even about baseball anymore with you is personal so Lets make it personal

— Ozzie Guillen (@OzzieGuillen) July 13, 2022

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 https://t.co/YpmksSBngv

— Ozzie Guillen (@OzzieGuillen) July 13, 2022

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.

— Ozzie Guillen (@OzzieGuillen) July 13, 2022

This best part of this has to be Guillen repeatedly apologizing to his wife for snapping while also ripping Heyman to shreds at the same. That’s what you call controlled anger.

2. It’s Thursday, so that means a new SI Media Podcast. My guest this week is author, reporter and podcast host James Andrew Miller. Topics covered during our conversation include The Washington Post’s recent feature article on Adam Schefter, Matthew Berry leaving ESPN, where the Big Ten football media rights deals stand, LIV golf and much more.

Quite a nugget here from Jim Miller via this week’s SI MEDIA PODCAST: He doesn’t know if Tony Romo’s megadeal with CBS would be done today.

Full pod: https://t.co/xB8VRk0N4b pic.twitter.com/3i6Z0CJxM3

— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) July 14, 2022

Following Miller, Sal Licata joins me for the weekly "Traina Thoughts" segment. This week, we discuss my review of the upcoming Derek Jeter docuseries on ESPN, the Zach Wilson “scandal” and the recent passing of Tony Sirico from The Sopranos. I also read recent Apple reviews to close out the show.

You can listen to the podcast below or download it on Apple, Spotify and Google

3. Tom Brady opens up about his relationship with Donald Trump in a new story from Variety. Brady claims the press mischaracterized his relationship Trump and that the two haven’t spoken in years.

Tom Brady says the press “mischaracterized” his relationship with Donald Trump: “My personality isn’t ever one to insult anybody. I have plenty of my own flaws. I’m not here to point out anyone else’s flaws.” https://t.co/KzdNfAtBzx pic.twitter.com/0dfySin8nW

— Variety (@Variety) July 14, 2022

Of course, if you're a loyal SI Media Podcast listener, you should already know Brady and Trump’s “friendship” was not what the media made it out to be.

I’ve always said media and fans unfairly pegged Brady as a Trump supporter. Here’s a clip from a 2019 SI MEDIA PODCAST with @GlobeChadFinn where talked about it. https://t.co/nJ9xMxEhVo pic.twitter.com/dMrFUyaR6u

— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) July 14, 2022

4. I enjoy some good old-fashioned pettiness, so I got a chuckle out of reading that the British Open is giving LIV golfers crappy tee times and shutting them out of press conferences.

LIV Golf players have been shut out of press conferences and given disappointing tee times at the Open.

— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) July 13, 2022

5. Charles Barkley had a vintage Charles Barkley quote when he was asked about Bradley Beal’s recent $251 million contract extension on the Washington Football Talk podcast: “Let me tell you something. My mom—I love my mom; she passed away a few years ago. Every time I see one of those contracts, I want to drive to the graveyard and just snatch her up and say, ‘Why couldn’t you just wait a couple more years to have me?! Just a couple more years!’”

6. Cool moment here for ESPN's Tim Kurkjian, who will deservedly go into the MLB Hall of Fame next weekend.

My mom sent me this picture, they are in Cooperstown getting the lay of the land for Dad’s induction next weekend. His smile, incredible. He deserves this! @Kurkjian_ESPN pic.twitter.com/O2EeK6xRXm

— Jeff Kurkjian (@jpkurkjian) July 13, 2022

7. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: We don't talk enough about the time that Larry David appeared on Judge Judy.

Be sure to catch up on past editions of Traina Thoughts and check out the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify or Google. You can also follow Jimmy on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.