Caracas, Venezuela ? Venezuelans shot off fireworks and drove through the streets honking horns after the White Sox won the World Series, proclaiming the Chicago manager a national hero.

That’s Ozzie Guillen in the United States, and Oswaldo Guillen as he is known in his home country.

“I never thought he would become champion so quickly, but if anyone could do it, it was Guillen,” said Janny Mendonza, who cheered at a bar where celebrating fans tossed beer from mugs. Elsewhere in Caracas, revelers fired guns in the air.

The White Sox won their first World Series since 1917, defeating Houston, 1-0, Wednesday night for a sweep of the Astros.

“Guillen is a winner, he’s a manager by nature,” said Daniela Garcia, wearing a yellow, blue and red Venezuelan flag across her shoulders. “I’m very happy for him and for what it means for Venezuelans.”

Baseball is Venezuela’s most popular sport, and Guillen is the first Venezuelan manager in the major leagues.

“Guillen deserves it,” said 56-year-old fan Justo Paredes. “He plays Caribbean ball. He’s intuitive and smart. He knows how to get the best out of each player.”

Paredes thinks the White Sox as a franchise always “valued Venezuelan talent, and now from the hand of a Venezuelan it seems to be receiving its payback winning the World Series after such a long time.”

Draped in a venezuelan flag, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen holds the World Series trophy. Guillen and the Sox were honored Friday in Chicago.

Seventeen Venezuelans have played for the White Sox over the years, including shortstops Chico Carrasquel, Luis Aparacio and Guillen.

Carrasquel, who died in May at 77, was the first Latin player in an All-Star game, in 1951. Aparacio is the only Venezuelan Hall of Famer.

Guillen debuted in the major leagues in 1985 after playing in the Venezuelan league for the La Guaira Sharks, a team known for its aggressive style.

His 15-year playing career in the majors ended in 2000. He then became a third-base coach for three years with Florida, including the Marlins’ 2003 World Series championship, before becoming the White Sox manager.

Recently, Guillen has been writing a column in the Venezuelan newspaper El Universal.

“These guys deserve to wear a world-championship ring,” Guillen wrote in one column. “The team deserves it, the city deserves it, and so does everyone in Venezuela who expressed their unconditional support.”