Bill Castro
Encyclopedia
William Radhames Castro Checo (born December 13, 1953, in Santiago
, Dominican Republic
) is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher and former pitching coach
for the Milwaukee Brewers
of the National League
.
Castro was drafted by the Brewers – then in the American League
– and pitched for them from to . He played three more years with the New York Yankees
and Kansas City Royals
before retiring.
The longest-serving member of the Brewers' coaching staff, Castro was named bullpen
coach in by rookie manager
Phil Garner
. Late in the 2002 season, Castro also briefly served as pitching coach after the resignation of Dave Stewart. He then returned to his bullpen role until he was named pitching coach by new Milwaukee manager Ken Macha
on November 7, 2008. The season marked Castro's 18th consecutive season as a Brewer coach. Castro was subsequently fired as pitching coach on August 12, 2009 and replaced with former Brewer Chris Bosio
.
Castro was the pitching coach for the Dominican Republic
's entry in the inaugural World Baseball Classic
.
Santiago de los Caballeros
Santiago de los Caballeros is a city in the Dominican Republic. Founded in 1495 during the first wave of European colonization of the New World, today Santiago is the second largest metropolis in the Dominican Republic, located in the north-central region of the Republic known as Cibao valley...
, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
) is a former Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher and former pitching coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
for the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
of the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
.
Castro was drafted by the Brewers – then in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
– and pitched for them from to . He played three more years with the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
and Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
before retiring.
The longest-serving member of the Brewers' coaching staff, Castro was named bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
coach in by rookie manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
Phil Garner
Phil Garner
Philip Mason Garner is a former infielder in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants from 1973 to 1988...
. Late in the 2002 season, Castro also briefly served as pitching coach after the resignation of Dave Stewart. He then returned to his bullpen role until he was named pitching coach by new Milwaukee manager Ken Macha
Ken Macha
Kenneth Edward Macha is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and manager. During an 8-year managing career, he managed the Oakland Athletics , whom he guided to the American League's Western Division championship in both his first and final seasons with the team, and the Milwaukee Brewers...
on November 7, 2008. The season marked Castro's 18th consecutive season as a Brewer coach. Castro was subsequently fired as pitching coach on August 12, 2009 and replaced with former Brewer Chris Bosio
Chris Bosio
Christopher Louis Bosio is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Milwaukee Brewers and Seattle Mariners from to and a current major league pitching coach...
.
Castro was the pitching coach for the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
's entry in the inaugural World Baseball Classic
World Baseball Classic
The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation and created by Major League Baseball , the Major League Baseball Players Association , and other professional baseball leagues and their players associations around the world...
.