A Chicago White Sox public relations employee has been relieved of his duties after an unfortunate incident at U.S. Cellular Field Friday night. The employee’s identity has not been released by the White Sox organization.
Prior to Friday’s game against the Detroit Tigers, the Sox gave fans the opportunity to bring their cats and dogs to the park for the Neuter Your Pet promotion in conjunction with the Illinois Humane Society. Spaying and neutering was conducted at the Pet Check station near Gates 2 and 3 of the ballpark.
According to Sox officials, a public relations employee happened into the White Sox clubhouse where manager Ozzie Guillen was taking his usual pregame nap. Unbeknownst to the employee, assistant coach Joey Cora often curls up in Guillen’s lap and sleeps as well.
While Cora was asleep, the employee mistook him for a cat and plucked him off to the neutering station.
“I don’t know how this could happen,” said a shaken Guillen. “Yes, Joey is little and has feline qualities, but c’mon.”
Cora is said to be inconsolable for now. Doctors say he will miss at least the next five games while he wears a cone around his neck to prevent him from biting the scars, and he will also have to get used to the new octave of his voice.
The White Sox have yet to decide whether to fire the PR employee.
By Tim Baffoe
