Guillen 'embarrassed' about shot at A-Rod

By wire services
Published February 18, 2006

TEMPE, Ariz. - White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen opened spring training by apologizing to Yankees star Alex Rodriguez for criticizing him for waffling on his choice of countries for the World Baseball Classic.

"I learned a lesson. I never took a first shot at anybody in my life, and now I feel like I took the first shot," Guillen said Friday. "I feel embarrassed, I feel guilty."

In an article in Sports Illustrated, Guillen said of Rodriguez: "He knew he wasn't going to play for the Dominicans. He's not a Dominican. I hate hypocrites."

Rodriguez was born in the United States, but his parents are Dominican. He first said he would play for the Dominican Republic, then said he wouldn't play, then decided to play for the U.S.

"Alex is not a hypocrite," Guillen said. "I was just trying to say he doesn't have to please people."

Meanwhile, new Padres catcher Mike Piazza said he was proud to represent Italy, the native country of his father, Vince, in the WBC. "The biggest thing for me is to try to promote the game in Europe a little more," Piazza said.

Cuba submitted a provisional 60-player roster for the WBC, making its participation official.

BELLE ARREST: Albert Belle tracked his ex-girlfriend with a GPS device and repeatedly threatened her, according to a police probable cause statement filed in support of stalking charges. The former star outfielder, 39, was arrested in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Thursday.

REDS: Ken Griffey Sr. is one of four candidates for the first-base coaching job. Manager Jerry Narron said he will discuss the job with Griffey, outfield and bunting instructor Ed Napoleon, minor-league outfield and baserunning coordinator Lynn Jones and newly hired advance scout Pete Mackanin. The job opened Thursday when John Moses retired.

[Last modified February 18, 2006, 02:15:16]