ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen expected a fine from Major League Baseball. The $7,000 amount, that came as a surprise.
Guillen, pitcher Mark Buehrle and umpire Joe West all were fined Friday in the wake of a recent balk flap in Cleveland.
"I would have taken suspension more than the money," Guillen said before Saturday night's game against Tampa Bay. "It's going take me like another three years to pay it. I'm going to need a loan."
"I knew I was going to get fined," he added. "Suspension, I don't think there was any reason to. They make the rules, they make the decisions. I guess I have to go by the rules, but I already told Major League Baseball I'm going pay it in months. I'm not going to pay by one check. I've got family to take care of."
Guillen was away from the White Sox on Friday while attending his son's high school graduation. He rejoined the team Saturday.
Guillen and Buehrle were ejected by West on Wednesday for arguing a pair of balk calls in Chicago's 5-4 win over Cleveland. Guillen was tossed for arguing the first balk. An inning later, Buehrle threw his glove to the ground after another balk call and had to be restrained.
West is the head of the umpires' union. He was penalized after his publicist revealed West's schedule and told the media the veteran umpire was available to revisit April comments about the New York Yankees and Boston playing so slowly.
The amounts of the fines were not disclosed.
"They have to do what they have to do," Guillen said. "I guess they fined Joe. I know it's not $7,000. It is what it is. I don't regret it. I pay my fine and move on."
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