Notes: Pads react to Castilla's release
07/19/2006
SAN DIEGO -- News of veteran third baseman Vinny Castilla getting released by the Padres hit teammates hard on Wednesday as they were getting ready to face the Phillies at PETCO Park.
"He's an absolute class guy, the ultimate pro," closer Trevor Hoffman said. "Those are the guys you don't like to lose -- substance guys. He's just a good dude. It's the part of the game that's not fun."
Castilla, whose spot on the roster was taken by Wednesday's starter, Mike Thompson, gave the Padres solid defense at third and a positive, supportive clubhouse presence. But his bat, which had produced 315 homers and 1,078 RBIs along with a .278 average before his arrival, never came alive. Castilla is batting .232 with four homers and 23 RBIs in 72 games, with 254 at-bats.
"It was hard, after the career he's had, seeing him go through it," Hoffman said of his former rival, whose prime seasons were spent with the Rockies. "He was pressing, wanting to do anything he could for the club. Whether he was in a pinch-hitting role, playing defense, whatever you needed, he kept a great attitude. He's a team player."
Castilla was close with first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who is enjoying a breakout season (.287, 18 homers, 49 RBIs through Tuesday) in part because of the steady, uplifting counsel and advice from the other half of what manager Bruce Bochy liked to call his "Mexican connection."
"The strength he had for him ... he was like a grandfather figure for Adrian, a calming influence for him," Bochy said of Castilla, who turned 39 on July 4. "I talked to Adrian; he understands."
Castilla also was understanding of the Padres' decision, Bochy said, as difficult as it was to accept. The club will go with Mark Bellhorn and Geoff Blum at third -- each had 14 starts there through Tuesday -- as speculation continues to swirl that a deal involving a third baseman will be made by the July 31 trade deadline.
"Vinny enjoyed his time here," Bochy said. "Vinny could see something [was] happening through the media, the talk about trying to get more production out of third base. He's been through it before at Tampa [in 2001]. He came out of that and put together a few good years."
Bochy broke the news to Castilla after Tuesday night's game. Castilla is expected to clear waivers on Friday, at which time he becomes a complete free agent.
"It doesn't get more difficult than that [breaking the news], the respect you have for Vinny, who he has, the career he's had," Bochy said. "It's been a pleasure and an honor to manage him."
Johnson "close": The player who could feel the impact of Castilla's departure most in the immediate future -- outfielder Ben Johnson -- spoke with the veteran third baseman early on Wednesday.
Johnson, who strained his left shoulder on July 4, is eligible to come off the disabled list and could take Castilla's spot with Thompson or another pitcher going to Triple-A Portland.
Johnson, saying he was "close" to 100 percent, had expected to begin his rehab in the Minor Leagues on Wednesday, but he was told he'd be with the club in San Francisco for the start of an 11-game road trip on Thursday.
"Sad day," Johnson said, shaking his head. "Vinny's as good a figure on a club as you could ever want. He's so down to earth, for someone who's accomplished what he has. He's really close to Adrian, but he took an active interest in all of us.
"Guys like that, you hate to lose. Vinny said his goodbyes this morning, and he seemed fine. He's really strong -- just a good dude, in every way. I hope something happens for him."
One hit away: Mike Piazza, who wasn't in the starting lineup on Wednesday with Josh Bard behind the plate, is one hit from 2,000 and becoming the seventh active player to reach 2,000 hits and 400 homers. He'll join Barry Bonds, Gary Sheffield, Ken Griffey Jr., Jeff Bagwell, Frank Thomas and Manny Ramirez.
Piazza, batting .335 with 11 homers and 36 RBIs since May 12, covering 49 games, is two runs away from 1,000.
Blazing hot: The right side of the Padres' infield has been torrid. Coming into Wednesday's homestand finale, second baseman Josh Barfield trailed only Chipper Jones in the Major Leagues with his .538 average for July. Jones was batting .551. Lifting his average to .304, Barfield has had nine multi-hit games in the month.
Entering Wednesday's game, Gonzalez was tied with Chipper Jones for the NL lead with seven homers in July and was second in RBIs to Chipper's Atlanta teammate, Andruw Jones in RBIs. Gonzalez has 21, one fewer than the Braves' center fielder.
Revved for Merv: Merv Rettenmund calls it a "coincidence," but the Padres clearly have caught fire since he replaced Dave Magadan as hitting coach on June 16.
In 27 games since his arrival, San Diego's .295 batting average is fourth highest in the Major Leagues. Since July 4, covering 11 games, the Friars' .333 average is surpassed only by Atlanta.
Source: http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/
SAN DIEGO -- News of veteran third baseman Vinny Castilla getting released by the Padres hit teammates hard on Wednesday as they were getting ready to face the Phillies at PETCO Park.
"He's an absolute class guy, the ultimate pro," closer Trevor Hoffman said. "Those are the guys you don't like to lose -- substance guys. He's just a good dude. It's the part of the game that's not fun."
Castilla, whose spot on the roster was taken by Wednesday's starter, Mike Thompson, gave the Padres solid defense at third and a positive, supportive clubhouse presence. But his bat, which had produced 315 homers and 1,078 RBIs along with a .278 average before his arrival, never came alive. Castilla is batting .232 with four homers and 23 RBIs in 72 games, with 254 at-bats.
"It was hard, after the career he's had, seeing him go through it," Hoffman said of his former rival, whose prime seasons were spent with the Rockies. "He was pressing, wanting to do anything he could for the club. Whether he was in a pinch-hitting role, playing defense, whatever you needed, he kept a great attitude. He's a team player."
Castilla was close with first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who is enjoying a breakout season (.287, 18 homers, 49 RBIs through Tuesday) in part because of the steady, uplifting counsel and advice from the other half of what manager Bruce Bochy liked to call his "Mexican connection."
"The strength he had for him ... he was like a grandfather figure for Adrian, a calming influence for him," Bochy said of Castilla, who turned 39 on July 4. "I talked to Adrian; he understands."
Castilla also was understanding of the Padres' decision, Bochy said, as difficult as it was to accept. The club will go with Mark Bellhorn and Geoff Blum at third -- each had 14 starts there through Tuesday -- as speculation continues to swirl that a deal involving a third baseman will be made by the July 31 trade deadline.
"Vinny enjoyed his time here," Bochy said. "Vinny could see something [was] happening through the media, the talk about trying to get more production out of third base. He's been through it before at Tampa [in 2001]. He came out of that and put together a few good years."
Bochy broke the news to Castilla after Tuesday night's game. Castilla is expected to clear waivers on Friday, at which time he becomes a complete free agent.
"It doesn't get more difficult than that [breaking the news], the respect you have for Vinny, who he has, the career he's had," Bochy said. "It's been a pleasure and an honor to manage him."
Johnson "close": The player who could feel the impact of Castilla's departure most in the immediate future -- outfielder Ben Johnson -- spoke with the veteran third baseman early on Wednesday.
Johnson, who strained his left shoulder on July 4, is eligible to come off the disabled list and could take Castilla's spot with Thompson or another pitcher going to Triple-A Portland.
Johnson, saying he was "close" to 100 percent, had expected to begin his rehab in the Minor Leagues on Wednesday, but he was told he'd be with the club in San Francisco for the start of an 11-game road trip on Thursday.
"Sad day," Johnson said, shaking his head. "Vinny's as good a figure on a club as you could ever want. He's so down to earth, for someone who's accomplished what he has. He's really close to Adrian, but he took an active interest in all of us.
"Guys like that, you hate to lose. Vinny said his goodbyes this morning, and he seemed fine. He's really strong -- just a good dude, in every way. I hope something happens for him."
One hit away: Mike Piazza, who wasn't in the starting lineup on Wednesday with Josh Bard behind the plate, is one hit from 2,000 and becoming the seventh active player to reach 2,000 hits and 400 homers. He'll join Barry Bonds, Gary Sheffield, Ken Griffey Jr., Jeff Bagwell, Frank Thomas and Manny Ramirez.
Piazza, batting .335 with 11 homers and 36 RBIs since May 12, covering 49 games, is two runs away from 1,000.
Blazing hot: The right side of the Padres' infield has been torrid. Coming into Wednesday's homestand finale, second baseman Josh Barfield trailed only Chipper Jones in the Major Leagues with his .538 average for July. Jones was batting .551. Lifting his average to .304, Barfield has had nine multi-hit games in the month.
Entering Wednesday's game, Gonzalez was tied with Chipper Jones for the NL lead with seven homers in July and was second in RBIs to Chipper's Atlanta teammate, Andruw Jones in RBIs. Gonzalez has 21, one fewer than the Braves' center fielder.
Revved for Merv: Merv Rettenmund calls it a "coincidence," but the Padres clearly have caught fire since he replaced Dave Magadan as hitting coach on June 16.
In 27 games since his arrival, San Diego's .295 batting average is fourth highest in the Major Leagues. Since July 4, covering 11 games, the Friars' .333 average is surpassed only by Atlanta.
Source: http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/
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