Chicago paid tribute this Saturday to one of the most important figures in its recent history. The White Sox retired Ozzie Guillen's number 13 before the game against Cleveland, making him the 13th person in the organization to receive that recognition and the first former manager whose number is immortalized by the club.

The ceremony was held at Rate Field, where the Venezuelan's name and number were permanently installed on the facade of the second level of the stadium.

Guillén, 62, arrived accompanied by his wife Ibis and several members of his family, including his three children. Dressed in a dark suit and with a Venezuelan flag pin on his lapel, the former shortstop acknowledged the emotion of the moment.

"I was never nervous playing baseball. I was never nervous coaching baseball. But today I am very, very nervous because this is a different time," he said during the event. "Today I am not here as a manager. Today I am here as a man grateful for this opportunity."

The ceremony was attended by former teammates and players, as well as White Sox president Jerry Reinsdorf. A.J. Pierzynski and Paul Konerko, figures from the 2005 champion team, were in charge of presenting him in front of the dugout.

A legacy built as a player and manager

Guillén debuted with Chicago in 1985 and spent 13 seasons with the franchise. That same year he won the American League Rookie of the Year award at age 21 and later won a Gold Glove in 1990.

As a White Sox player, he played 1,743 regular season games, batted .265, hit 24 home runs, drove in 565 runs and stole 163 bases. He later completed his career with Baltimore, Atlanta and Tampa Bay, retiring in 2000 with a .264 average, 28 home runs and 619 RBIs.

His second stage in Chicago came on the bench. He managed the team from 2004 to 2011 and led the organization to its most recent World Series title in 2005, becoming the first Latino manager to win the Fall Classic. In eight seasons he accumulated a record of 678 wins and 617 losses.

Reinsdorf highlighted his impact on the franchise: “From the moment he joined this organization in spring training of 1985, Ozzie Guillen has been one of a kind.”

The meaning of the number 13 and Venezuelan pride

In his meeting with the media, Guillén highlighted the link between the number 13 and Venezuelan baseball. He explained that he chose that number inspired by Dave Concepción, Cincinnati's historic Venezuelan shortstop, and mentioned Ronald Acuña Jr. as a continuator of that tradition.

“I think number 13 belongs to my country,” he said. “And for me in Venezuela 13 is a lucky number and Americans didn't believe how lucky it is.”

The tribute officially sealed the relationship of more than four decades between Guillén and the White Sox, a story that spanned his time as a player, manager and emblematic figure of the organization.

This news has been tken from authentic news syndicates and agencies and only the wordings has been changed keeping the menaing intact. We have not done personal research yet and do not guarantee the complete genuinity and request you to verify from other sources too.