MLB PLAYOFF NOTEBOOK

updated 8:25 p.m. ET Oct. 4, 2005

CHICAGO - White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said he didn’t mean to offend the Indians or their fans with his choking gesture during Sunday’s regular-season finale in Cleveland.

Guillen was “playing around with fans” when he wrapped his hands around his neck during a pitching change in the sixth inning.

“We joked almost all the game,” he said Tuesday before the opener of Chicago’s first-round playoff series against Boston. “And all of a sudden the mascot does the sign, and all of a sudden I put my hands like that. And all of a sudden everybody in the nation thought I was telling the fans to choke. I respect this game and respect the Cleveland Indians.”

After building a 15-game lead in the AL Central, the White Sox held off a charge by Cleveland over the final two months and won the division by six. They swept three games against the Indians last weekend, including a 3-1 victory on Sunday.

“It was one lady and six guys sitting next to me, and we were just playing around all game,” Guillen said. “And (if) they take it the wrong way, that’s fine. I know the last couple of days I slept pretty good about it because I don’t have anything in my conscience to make me feel guilty about it.”

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Guillen praised the Indians and their fans, saying, “I never saw anybody lose a game and get a standing ovation. ... They made the Cleveland fans really excited. They made baseball great to watch.”

No relief
Dan Kolb started the season as the Atlanta Braves’ closer. By the time the playoffs rolled around, he wasn’t even on the roster.

Kolb, who lost the closer’s job in May and pitched horribly the final week of the regular season, was left off the 25-man roster for the best-of-five NL division series against the Houston Astros that begins Wednesday.

The former All-Star was beaten out by a rookie who became the first player to give up grand slams in his first two appearances (Joey Devine) and a journeyman reliever who was cut by the Giants earlier this season (Jim Brower).

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But it wasn’t a real tough decision for manager Bobby Cox, who lost all faith in Kolb during his dismal season — 3-8 with a 5.93 ERA. The right-hander gave up 78 hits and walked 29 in 57 2-3 innings.

There was no sign of Kolb in Atlanta’s clubhouse after Tuesday’s workout. His jersey hung on the outside of his locker and did not appear to have been worn.

Devine, the Braves’ first-round pick in the June draft, was thrilled to make the roster after only five innings in the big leagues. He pitched well in his last three outings, but still finished with a 12.60 ERA.

“I just feel very, very blessed for the opportunity,” Devine said. “Oh man, some great things have happened this year. It can definitely be overwhelming, but it’s really been special.”

Cox also had some decisions to make among his position players. He decided to keep outfielders Brian Jordan and Kelly Johnson, while Todd Hollandsworth failed to make the cut.

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