White Sox’s Guillen denies ‘feud’

By Mark Gonzales

Chicago Tribune

CHICAGO

Business partners, yes.

Friends, we’ll wait and see.

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen believes he and general manager Ken Williams can co-exist in the wake of their latest tensions.

“I don’t see why not,” Guillen said before the Sox beat the Cubs 10-5 for their third consecutive win. “He has a job to do. I have a job to do.

“The good thing about it is the players don’t get involved. Whatever happens, they’re going to play the game. That’s more important to me, and it’s more important how the players play.”

Guillen downplayed a report that he nearly got into a fight with Williams after expressing his disappointment over the Sox not drafting youngest son Ozney until the 22nd round.

“First of all, I don’t fight,” said Guillen. “I don’t think we, or anyone, can resolve any problem fighting.

“There are a lot of things that happened. I don’t want to say miscommunication — a lot of disagreements, and they get to the point like we hate each other. Well, I don’t remember hating anyone.

“Is the relationship the same way it was? Not really, because a few things have happened in disagreements, but that’s part of life.”

Tension has mounted over the past six months over Guillen being reluctant to support Williams in acquiring a left-handed hitter during the offseason and Williams denying Guillen permission for a personal Web site.