Ramirez hopes Ozzie’s apology is accepted
CLEVELAND — White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez diplomatically stopped short of taking former manager Ozzie Guillen to task for his inflammatory remarks about Fidel Castro, saying he hopes a forthcoming apology from Guillen is accepted by those he offended.
“I haven’t specifically heard what Ozzie said,’’ Ramirez said Monday through a translator. “But I would just say whatever his thoughts, whatever his comments, those are Ozzie’s comments. That’s more on him.’’
Guillen said he “loves” and respects Cuban dictator Castro. Ramirez left Cuba for the Dominican Republic in 2007. Asked if he found it offensive that anyone in baseball would support Castro, Ramirez said, “Everybody is free to have an opinion. It’s one of those that there are some people who like Castro and some people who don’t. In Miami, it’s definitely of a different thought frame. I think that his opinion is not the same opinion I have.’’
Ramirez said he hopes Guillen’s apology is accepted.
“Apologizing is definitely a big first step,’’ Ramirez said.
Dunn dusts off glove
Adam Dunn got his first game action at first base, switching positions with Paul Konerko, who was the designated hitter.
Dunn, who is no Gold Glover, has played more games in the outfield (1,096) than first base (372). Manager Robin Ventura — who got Dunn on the field as much as possible to keep him active — said Dunn “was moving around fine” at first in Arizona.
“I’d rather have him there than in left field,’’ Ventura said. “So we’re going to keep him at first.”
Ventura had said that Kosuke Fukudome would start Monday but he changed his mind and will start him Tuesday against his former team, probably in left field.
Getting it right, sort of
Just when Alex Rios was getting praise for his play in right field, he dropped a routine fly ball by Aaron Cunningham in the seventh for a two-base error.
“He’s played great,’’ Ventura said before the game. “He’s aggressive and feels confident in right field. Even in spring, going back on balls, even [Sunday] night coming in on one. It’s just nice to see. When guys start playing like that, everyone else’s level will come up, just by the way that guy is playing in right field.”
Ramirez made a nice play to prevent the error from costing a run. One plus in Rios’ move from center is that it’s physically less taxing, a good thing for a player who had toe issues last year. Before the error, Rios had been getting better reads on fly balls.
A stronger Humber
At 225 pounds, Philip Humber is about 10 pounds heavier than last year.
“The main thing is I feel stronger,’’ said Humber. “I feel like I have more behind the ball. Physically and mentally, I feel good.’’
Humber, 9-9 with a 3.75 ERA in his first full season in 2011, starts Tuesday against the Indians.