Guillen Tells His Side of the Players’ Meeting Story
In an attempt to clarify what he described as a “misunderstanding,” Jose Guillen on Saturday said he attended the players-only meeting called by Darin Erstad on July 21 in Arlington, Texas, contrary to what he told reporters at the time.
“That day in Texas, I was just kind of playing around,” said Guillen, giving his side of the story for the first time. “I didn’t even talk to one of those [reporters]. They heard me say something and they blew it up the next day like I was not in the meeting. I was the first one there.”
Even though Manager Mike Scioscia told reporters the next day that Guillen had attended the meeting, Guillen said he wanted to make sure people knew he had not blown off the meeting called by Erstad, “a guy I have a lot of respect for because he’s kind of my style -- he loves to win like I do, he likes to play hard like I do.”
“I just want people to understand I’m not the type of guy that some people think I am,” Guillen said. “I just want to make it peaceful for everyone and have a good relationship with all my teammates. I really love them, they respect me, I respect them, and we can move on.”
Guillen said he has shown his willingness to be a good teammate by working hard and staying productive during a season in which he has already set a career high with 92 runs batted in.
“You can go and ask each one,” Guillen said of his teammates. “I have a great relationship with all these guys. I come ready to play every day and give everything I’ve got to my teammates and this organization.”
Shortstop David Eckstein said Guillen had provided “a great boost.”
“The one thing about him is, he always plays,” Eckstein said. “He shows up ready to play every day. We wouldn’t be in the position we are without him.”
Said pitcher Jarrod Washburn: “He’s maybe doing a little better than some people thought, but I thought he was capable of this and I’m very happy to see that he’s doing as well as he is.”
Guillen, who has 36 RBIs in his last 36 games, said he was not surprised by his success and felt as if he has finally found a home with the Angels, his seventh major league team.
“I’ve always believed in myself, that if I get an opportunity to play every day on a consistent basis, I will put up the numbers,” said Guillen, 28. “This is the perfect spot for me. I hope this is my last stop. I don’t see any reason for me to go anywhere else.”
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The Angels signed third baseman Mark Trumbo, their 18th-round draft pick out of Villa Park High, after convincing him not to attend USC. The $1.425-million signing bonus, exceptionally high for a player taken so low in the draft, helped make the difference. He is expected to report to the Arizona Instructional League in September.
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Washburn said he felt no discomfort after Friday’s session of catch, a step forward in his return from the strained ligament in his left rib cage. “This is the first time I’ve played catch and the next day I’ve felt pain-free, so I’m encouraged right now,” said Washburn, who has been on the disabled list since late July. Washburn said he would play catch again today, take Monday off and then throw consecutive days during the Angels’ series against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
