WTF, Ozzie: Guillen Defends Escobar’s “Maricón” Slur on Eye Black

Why did Ozzie Guillen even have to weigh on the Yunel Escobar story? On Tuesday, Escobar, who plays for the Toronto Blue Jays, was suspended for three games for having the gay slur "maricón" on his eye black. Escobar claimed cultural ignorance, saying that Latino ballplayers use that term all the time. Yes, "maricón" does have other connotations (most of which have to do with a man being less "masculine), but like we said a few days ago, Escobar still displayed the word publicly on his eye black in front of fans that are unaware of the word's cultural nuances. Fact is, Escobar was dumb for doing it and we think it was a lesson learned.

But why do people even have to ask Guillen about his thoughts? Did they not remember last April? Ozzie, as he is accustomed to, always seem to insert foot in mouth, and do people even remember when he got in trouble for using an English gay slur against Sun-Times columnist Jay Marriotti? Anyway, here is what Guillen said about Escobar:

"I think he just did it for fun. I know he didn't mean to hurt anybody's feelings. Nobody is that stupid. In my house, we call (each other) that word every 20 seconds. I've got three kids. For us, it's like 'What's up, bro? What's up, dude?' It's how you say it and to who you say it. But that's our country. We have to respect this country. Sometimes for us it's funny, for other people it's not."

Really, Ozzie? That is how you and your family use that word? What's up, bro? Maybe Guillen and his boys should use another word (pendejo or cabrón work well). Also, Escobar didn't SAY it, he DISPLAYED the word in front of a crowd and a TV audience. The media really needs to not give Ozzie the mic when it comes to these types of things. Because any time we have heard "maricón" used even in banter, the last thing we think of is "What's up, bro?"