TORONTO -- To understand the seriousness of what Ozzie Guillen said, let Mike Lowell paint what has become a most unappetizing picture.

Lowell likes Guillen. He played on a Marlins team for whom the former shortstop served as a coach. He was excited for Guillen to help anchor Miami's baseball resurgence. But the minute Lowell heard what Guillen said about having an admiration for Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, there was only one bond that counted -- that of his family.

"The people that suffered were from the generation before my generation," the former Red Sox third baseman said via phone from his daughter's softball game in the Miami area. "I enjoy all the freedoms of these United States because my family left Cuba. But my dad was the one who left with only one suitcase, and my grandparents were the ones who had to leave their jobs and start literally all over. Those are the people who feel more of the pain. I think they're more offended by it because they enjoy baseball and now feel like they can't because that's way too much pain, and way too much bad feelings that have gone through so many families who came from Cuba."

Lowell understands the effect Guillen's words have had on the Miami area. He grew up in nearby Coral Gables, and has returned to immerse himself in the community year-round. But that's not what makes the retired infielder an authority on this subject.

The first thing you should know is that both of Lowell's parents were born and raised in Cuba. They each escaped with their families as 11-year-olds, with each member of their family being allowed one suitcase, $125 for each adult and $5 per child. Lowell's grandmother on his mother's side was forced to sew some of the family's valuables into the lining of her dress in order to bring the items to the United States. The was a reason the families took such a leap of faith, leaving most of their lives behind -- because of Castro.

Lowell hasn't seen his parents' reaction to the Guillen news. They are out of the country on vacation. But he has seen the response of his father-in-law.

Jose Lopez, the father of Lowell's wife, Bertica, spent 15 years in a Cuban jail as a political prisoner, all because of the man Guillen was perceived to be praising. He was the one who broke the news of Guillen's remarks to Lowell.

"So my father-in-law walks in and there's just sadness in his eyes. He said, 'You see what the manager of the Marlins said?' He's deeply offended and hurt," an emotional Lowell said. "Speaking of that suitcase, my father-in-law didn't even get a suitcase. He was in prison for 15 years. Imagine them taking away (ages) 19 to 34 and someone says something like this. How can you not react in an emotional way? That's the hard part. I hope for the Marlins franchise this can be something we can focus more on baseball because I think they have a competitive team and I hope it doesn't affect the players, because those guys work hard and you want to see them do well. It's not their fault."

Lowell knows the life of a ballplayer, but he also knows life as a Cuban-American living in Miami. That's why, when it comes to this subject, baseball loyalties are pushed to the side.

"I said it before, I enjoyed playing with Ozzie as a coach, and I don't think it makes him a bad manager or a bad baseball guy. I think it was a terrible choice of words," he said. "The problem is that there are so many successful, influential Cuban-Americans who have made Miami their home, from a PR standpoint there is nothing Ozzie could have said that could have been worse. He could have almost offended any race, any background or anything and it could not have been worse, for this community. 

"For people who live in Nebraska, there's not a Cuban community to be offended. There's probably a lot of Cuban-Americans who are very influential who had a big stake in getting the stadium built there and indirectly got him hired and he has a great contract for a manager. He has to be a little smarter than to say something like that."

Lowell has been getting calls since the Guillen incident. People understand his unique situation when it comes to this topic, and where his allegiances lie. Few have forgotten the Boston Herald front page quoting the then-Red Sox third baseman, when asked about an ailing Castro, saying, "I hope he does die!" 

The Marlins have explored opportunities for Lowell to re-enter the organization since the former All-Star's retirement. He is still tremendously popular in the area. He understands the fan-base, and the fan-base seemingly embraces him.

It's why Lowell's perspective should be an important one.

"The Marlins have basically done everything to put the stadium in a position where they not only have a new stadium, but especially where it is, with the Latin community wanting to unite and embrace and be a major part of it. … Unfortunately it has become a major divide," he explained. "It's hard because while [Guillen's] allowed to say anything he wants, he doesn't only represent himself, but he also represents the Marlins, Major League Baseball and he represents us, and, to me, he's smart enough to know that is an issue that is way too delicate to talk about. If you don't know too much about it you should just refrain from talking about it."

Now comes the hard part, Lowell says. Figuring out what to do next.

"I think the whole thing put the Marlins in a tough situation because one person's view is not the view of our organization," he said. "But what can be the proper penalty? One game? Ten games? A season? Fire him? I don't know even if you fired him [if] you really appease the community. The irony is that you can't fire him based on the fact that one of our freedoms is the freedom of speech. I just think it puts the Marlins organization behind the eight-ball because they know they like Ozzie Guillen the baseball manager and they knew somewhere down the road he was going to say something. But not like this. I don't think they ever thought it would be this."