©2011 Galesburg Broadcasting Co.
| In a New Miami, Praise for Castro Opens Old Wounds |
MIAMI (AP) -- Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen's comments in admiration of Fidel Castro caused a bigger uproar than if the Miami team had spent the entire baseball season in last place.
Politicians and exiles decried the Venezuelan's remarks and he issued a tearful, public apology. Guillen has been suspended for five games and even faced calls to resign.
Outsiders might think the punishment is over the top for a political comment. Yet the episode shows that Cuban exiles with the most hardline positions still control the conversation in South Florida even though their community's demographics have changed.
Guillen says he doesn't love or respect Castro and that his English language barrier was partly to blame. He still says he takes full responsibility for what he calls the biggest mistake of his life.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) |
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