Guillen returns to Sox as skipper

Chicago names former infielder as Manuel's replacement

? Ozzie Guillen was certain he was the right person to be the new manager of the Chicago White Sox, regardless of what his resume did or didn’t say.

Two hours into his first interview, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams agreed.

“The passion, the commitment, the energy, the game knowledge, the aggressive attitude,” Williams said Monday while introducing Guillen as manager of the team where he spent 13 years of his 16-year career.

“He bleeds White Sox baseball. There is no doubt in my mind that he is going to provide something here we desperately need. A jolt, if you will.”

When Williams fired Jerry Manuel Sept. 29 in the wake of the White Sox’s colossal meltdown, Williams was certain he wanted a manager with experience. Someone who’d been to the postseason, maybe even the World Series.

Former Toronto manager Cito Gaston was believed to be an early favorite, and Williams said he talked to Tom Kelly and Jim Leyland to see if either had interest in getting back into baseball. But then came Guillen. He retired in 2000, and his only experience was as a coach, the last two years as third-base coach for the World Series-champion Florida Marlins.

Guillen signed a two-year contract with an option for a third year Monday. He was AL Rookie of the Year with the Sox in 1985. He also played in Baltimore, Atlanta and Tampa Bay and was a three-time All-Star.