Vinny Castilla

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Vinicio Castilla Soria, commonly known as Vinny Castilla [cass-TEE-yah] (born July 4, 1967 in Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico), was a Major League Baseball third baseman who played his best years with the Colorado Rockies and Atlanta Braves. Previously, he played with the San Diego Padres (2006), Washington Nationals (2005), Atlanta Braves (1991-92, 2002-03), Colorado Rockies (1993-99, 2004, 2006), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2000, 2001) and Houston Astros (2001). He decided to retire after the Caribbean Series on February 7, 2007.

[edit] Baseball career

A huge favorite among Rockies fans, Castilla hit 40 home runs both in 1996 and 1997, 46 in 1998, and has 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. He remains in the top ten in many offensive categories for the Rockies.[1]

Castilla was a member of the inaugural Colorado Rockies team that began play in Major League Baseball in 1993.

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.

[edit] Highlights

• Twice All-Star (1995, 1998)
• 3-time Silver Slugger Award (1995, 1997-98)
• Led NL in RBIs (2004)
• Led NL in games played (162, 1998)
• Joined Andrés Galarraga and Ellis Burks as just the second trio of 40-homer teammates in MLB history (1996)
• Joined Galarraga, Burks and Dante Bichette as just the third 100-RBI team-quartet in MLB history (1996)
• Hit 300th home run (2005)
• He was named captain of Mexican baseball team in the World Baseball Classic

[edit] Career

• Atlanta Braves: 1991-1992, 2002-2003
• Colorado Rockies: 1993-1999, 2004, 2006
• Tampa Bay Devil Rays: 2000-2001
• Houston Astros: 2001
• Washington Nationals: 2005
• San Diego Padres: 2006

[edit] See also

• Top 500 home run hitters of all time
• List of NL Silver Slugger Winners at Third Base
• List of players from Mexico in Major League Baseball
• List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBIs
• List of Major League Baseball RBI champions
• Major League Baseball hitters with three home runs in one game
• Washington Nationals all-time roster

[edit] External links

• Vinny Castilla at:
  • Baseball Library (biography and career highlights)
  • Baseball Reference (career statistics and analysis)
  • ESPN (profile and daily update)