As a White Sox fan, what is your opinion of Ozzie as a Manager. I have heard both sides - love and hate. What do we have to look forward to here?
I love Ozzie. Ozzie is an old school type of manager. Bunts. Steals. Hit and Run. Sacrifices. Take the extra base. Make the defense make the play. On defense, you better be able to handle your position. Pitchers should know how to get off the mound and play their position not just throw strikes. Catchers are the leader on the field and better be able to throw out runners at any base at any time. Some call it small ball, but Ozzie has no problem with home runs as long as you can hit them. Don't be swinging for the fences if you don't have that kind of power. Go to the opposite field when they are pitching you away.
He'll protect his players. If you throw at one of ours, you WILL be hit. That's the way the game is played. If the ump tries to show up a player, Ozzie WILL be getting tossed, bank on it.
When they interview him, he'll tell you EXACTLY how he feels and he doesn't give a damn if that hurts your feelings. You're being paid to play baseball not be coddled. Players always know where they stand with Ozzie, he'll tell them when he's unhappy, but he'll be the first to congratulate them when they get to the dugout after a big play. He was a player himself and not really that long ago. He managed like he wanted to be managed. No BS. Just Baseball.