Vinny Castilla
Encyclopedia
Vinicio "Vinny" Castilla Soria (kasˈtiʎa; born July 4, 1967 in Oaxaca, Oaxaca
, Mexico
) is a former Major League Baseball
third baseman
who played his best years with the Colorado Rockies
and Atlanta Braves
. Previously, he played with the Atlanta Braves (1991–1992, 2002–2003), Colorado Rockies (1993–1999, 2004, 2006), Tampa Bay Devil Rays
(2000–2001), Houston Astros
(2001), Washington Nationals
(2005), and San Diego Padres
(2006).
s in both 1996 and 1997, 46 in 1998, and compiled five 100-plus RBI
seasons, leading the National League
with 131 in 2004. He helped to lead the Rockies to their first-ever playoff appearance in 1995 and remains in the top ten in many offensive categories for the Rockies. In 1996, he and teammates, Andrés Galarraga
and Ellis Burks
became just the second trio of 40-homer teammates in MLB history, and the three of them, along with Dante Bichette
, became just the third 100-RBI team-quartet in MLB history. In 2002, he had the lowest range factor
among all NL
third basemen (2.44).
Castilla, having one of the worst seasons of his career, was released by the Padres on July 19, 2006, to make room for pitcher Mike Thompson. On August 14, the Rockies signed him to a minor league contract and he was recalled from the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
on September 1, 2006. On September 28, in a game against the Dodgers
, Castilla had a pinch-hit RBI single
in his last at-bat at the Rockies' home stadium, Coors Field
.
Castilla was the last active player from the Rockies' inaugural season in 1993 at the time of his retirement.Castilla played with the Braves in 2003.
. Castilla and his wife, Samantha have 3 sons, Vinicio Jr., Daulton and Cristian.
In 2007, he was named manager of the Mexican baseball team
for the Pan American Games
and also served as manager in the 2009 World Baseball Classic
. In 2008, he was a player-manager for the Naranjeros de Hermosillo in the Mexican Pacific League.
Oaxaca, Oaxaca
The city and municipality of Oaxaca de Juárez, or simply Oaxaca, is the capital and largest city of the Mexican state of the same name . It is located in the Centro District in the Central Valleys region of the state, in the foothills of the Sierra Madre at the base of the Cerro del Fortín...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
) 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...
third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
who played his best years with the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
and Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. Previously, he played with the Atlanta Braves (1991–1992, 2002–2003), Colorado Rockies (1993–1999, 2004, 2006), Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
(2000–2001), Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
(2001), Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
(2005), and San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
(2006).
Baseball career
Castilla was a member of the inaugural Colorado Rockies team that began play in Major League Baseball in 1993 and was a huge favorite among Rockies fans. Castilla hit 40 home runHome run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s in both 1996 and 1997, 46 in 1998, and compiled five 100-plus RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
seasons, leading 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...
with 131 in 2004. He helped to lead the Rockies to their first-ever playoff appearance in 1995 and remains in the top ten in many offensive categories for the Rockies. In 1996, he and teammates, Andrés Galarraga
Andrés Galarraga
Andrés José Padovani Galarraga is a former Major League Baseball first baseman who played for the Montreal Expos , St. Louis Cardinals , Colorado Rockies , Atlanta Braves , Texas Rangers , San Francisco Giants and Anaheim Angels...
and Ellis Burks
Ellis Burks
Ellis Rena Burks is a former outfielder and designated hitter who played in Major League Baseball for 18 seasons...
became just the second trio of 40-homer teammates in MLB history, and the three of them, along with Dante Bichette
Dante Bichette
Alphonse Dante Bichette, Sr. is a former Italian-American Major League Baseball player. Bichette was a four-time All-Star as a member of the Colorado Rockies.-Career:...
, became just the third 100-RBI team-quartet in MLB history. In 2002, he had the lowest range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
among all NL
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...
third basemen (2.44).
Castilla, having one of the worst seasons of his career, was released by the Padres on July 19, 2006, to make room for pitcher Mike Thompson. On August 14, the Rockies signed him to a minor league contract and he was recalled from the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Colorado Springs Sky Sox
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox are a minor league baseball team in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team's colors are red and blue. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the major league Colorado Rockies...
on September 1, 2006. On September 28, in a game against the Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, Castilla had a pinch-hit RBI single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
in his last at-bat at the Rockies' home stadium, Coors Field
Coors Field
Coors Field, located in Denver, Colorado, is the home field of Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies. It is named for the Coors Brewing Company of Golden, Colorado, which purchased the naming rights to the park prior to its completion in 1995...
.
Castilla was the last active player from the Rockies' inaugural season in 1993 at the time of his retirement.Castilla played with the Braves in 2003.
Post-playing career
He decided to retire after the Caribbean Series on February 7, 2007, becoming a special assistant to Rockies GM Dan O'DowdDan O'Dowd
Dan O'Dowd has served as the General Manager of the Colorado Rockies since September 20, 1999. Before being hired by the Rockies, he spent 15 years working for the Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Indians, working his way from Accounts Manager to Director of Baseball Operations / Assistant General...
. Castilla and his wife, Samantha have 3 sons, Vinicio Jr., Daulton and Cristian.
In 2007, he was named manager of the Mexican baseball team
Mexico national baseball team
The Mexico national baseball team is the baseball team which represents Mexico in international tournaments. They are currently the eighth ranked baseball team in the world.-Pan American Games:*1951 Bronze Medal *1963 Bronze Medal...
for the Pan American Games
Pan American Games
The Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
and also served as manager in the 2009 World Baseball Classic
2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
. In 2008, he was a player-manager for the Naranjeros de Hermosillo in the Mexican Pacific League.
See also
- List of top 300 Major League Baseball home run hitters
- List of NL Silver Slugger Winners at Third Base
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBIs
- List of Major League Baseball RBI champions