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"As I have often said, baseball is a social institution with important social responsibilities," Selig added in a statement. "All of our 30 clubs play significant roles within their local communities, and I expect those who represent Major League Baseball to act with the kind of respect and sensitivity that the game's many cultures deserve."
Marlins officials said Guillen still had the support of the organization.
"We believe in him," said Samson, the team president. "We believe in his apology. We believe everybody deserves a second chance." He said he expected no further punishment from MLB.
Guillen apologized over the weekend after his remarks were published in Time, then left his team in Philadelphia, where the Marlins were playing the Phillies, and flew to Miami.
The teams resume their three-game series Wednesday in Philadelphia. Guillen said he'll be there to apologize to his players, but he won't be in the dugout. Bench coach Joey Cora will be the interim manager.
"The Marlins acknowledge the seriousness of the comments attributed to Guillen," read a statement from the team. "The pain and suffering caused by Fidel Castro cannot be minimized, especially in a community filled with victims of the dictatorship."
The suspension, which takes effect immediately, recalled the punishment given to Marge Schott, the late owner of the Cincinnati Reds. Schott so embarrassed baseball in the 1990s with her inflammatory racial remarks and fond recollections of Adolf Hitler that she was suspended from ownership duties for a season.
"After spending years of my life with Ozzie Guillen, I can honestly say he has never been this apologetic," tweeted former slugger Frank Thomas, who played for Guillen with the Chicago White Sox. "I know he is really hurting inside for what he said. If you really know him this was not his intentions at all."
In Cuba, a column posted on multiple state-run and pro-government websites said the backlash against Guillen showed Miami has become "a banana republic" that censors unpopular opinions.
"The sensationalist and cowed Miami press, the politicians, have used these declaration of his to raise a scandal and in passing try to win visibility and votes for the upcoming elections," wrote Edmundo Garcia. "Some want to prohibit thoughts and opinions that differ from theirs."
About 100 reporters, photographers and cameramen attended Guillen's news conference, a turnout to rival some late-season Marlins crowds in years gone by.
Guillen sat alone at the podium and began in Spanish, speaking without notes for several minutes before taking questions. Shortly after he started, his voice wavered mid-sentence. He paused to take a sip of water and clear his throat.
"This is the biggest mistake I've made so far in my life," Guillen said.
Guillen spoke in Spanish for about 80 percent of the news conference. Guillen said he was suspended without pay, but Samson later said the manager will be paid and will donate the money to Miami human-rights causes.
[Associated Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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