Yardbarker: Luis Castillo

The Mets Aren't Struggling, This Is Who They Are

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:03:54 -0500

It’s about mid-way through the season and the Mets are below .500. They have been riddled by injuries, like many teams in baseball, and have been unwilling to move a few of their top prospects in order to jump start their ballclub. But if you were to listen to sports radio in New York, hosts [...]

This week around the SB Nation

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 13:47:15 -0500

More photos » by Frank Franklin II - AP F-Rodr reacts to teammate Luis Castillo's game-losing error in the ninth inning against the Yankees. Browse more photos » It's kinda easy for us to become somewhat insular as fans, and I want to try and keep us (somewhat!) informed about what's going on elsewhere in the league. So, I've taken a trawl around the other 32 sites in the SB Nation basebal...

Thoughts From the First Trip to Citi Field

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:55:42 -0500

~That wasn't my seat but it certainly was the "best seat" in the house. Look at that beam wee. Who needs to see the plate?

~If you're going to a game at Citi Field my first advise would be not get the cheapest seats in the house. That is unless you actually like not being able to see any of the outfield. Below is essentially where I was seated and for the majority of the game I couldn't see the left fielder OR the center fielder, I could see both when Luis Castillo was up. I also couldn't see the apple in center field. If you're going to get cheap seats, spend the extra 10 bucks and get them promenade seats in fair territory.

~So what are my overall thoughts on the stadium. It's 1 billion times better than Shea. It's not even close. Sure there's the limited view seats, but everything about the ballpark feels and looks better. And it's not even close.

~That being said there are issues, and most of these issues come if you're a Mets fan which I am not. I think honoring Jackie Robinson is great and all, but when you walk into the Mets ballpark don't you think the first thing you should see is a Mets logo, or a lot of pictures of Mets players? Instead you get a ton of Jackie Robinson photos and a massive blue 42. It's a great way to honor a great man, but to me if I'm a Mets fan that's not what I want.

~And that was far from the end of the Brooklyn escapades. We walked into a Mets store, one of the approximately 35 in the stadium, and the first thing we saw was a Dodgers jersey. It obviously was a Jackie Robinson jersey but still, you walk through the door and stare Dodgers in the face. It pissed my buddy off to no end. Then there's the Ebbet's club which is the fancy pants club for fancy pants people. The Ebbet's club has picture of Ebbet's field around it. The normal concession stands are called Brooklyn Burgers, or something to that measure, despite the fact that you're actually in Flushing. Way way too much Dodger stuff and not enough Mets stuff.

~The section of the stadium with Shake Shack, Blue Smoke and the Taqueria is where the good food is. Well I'm sure there's good food in the Ebbet's club, but good food normal people can buy. I bought two steak tacos which were delicious and a pint of BROOKLYN Ale. Unfortunately I went there in the 7th and missed the only run scored the entire game, had to watch it on the big screen tv while in line.

~There's still nothing to do outside the stadium and the CHOP shop is still grotesque looking.

~The outfield dimensions are overly quirky. Especially in right field with the Modell's section which is receeded about 10 feet behind the upper deck over hang. Not sure why they did that and not sure I like it. It makes it look as if the upper-deck is in the field of play. That's a bit too quirky for me.

~The stadium was pretty damn confusing to get around and there were a ton of security guards telling me I couldn't go in places or use certain staircases. I found that a bit weird/annoying. Also, the staircases need flat screen tvs.

~We walked into the Caesar's club and immediately didn't feel like we were in a baseball stadium anymore.

~I feel as if they could have added way way way more bathrooms than they had. Is there really a reason to have a bathroom with only 6 urinals? There should be like 40 per bathroom. There shouldn't be 30+ person lines in between innings anymore.

~We couldn't have asked for a better game. Straight pitchers dual between Johan and Yovani. The Mets took the lead in the 7th then handed it to the Putz, K-Rod combo and that was that.

~All in all it was a solid trip. The stadium is a billion times better than Shea again, but it certainly has some kinks to work out and certainly takes time to figure out how to get around. The stadium was nice, the food was solid, the game was great, just spend a few extra bucks and get tickets where you can see the entire field.

2nd Photo Courtesy of Amazin Avenue

The 10 Darkest Days in Chicago Cubs History

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:23:03 -0500

Today, Ron Santo failed to make it to baseball's Hall of Fame. The Tribune Company, owners of the Chicago Cubs, filed for bankruptcy. For Cubs fans, today is pretty dark. InGameNow has decided to recount the 10 darkest days in Cubs history. 10. Greg Maddux Becomes a Brave, April 5th, 1993 The Cubs let Greg Maddux, winner of the 1992 Cy Young, leave the team via free agency. On opening day of the 1993 season, Maddux and the Braves beat the Cubs 1-0. During the 1993 season, Greg HIbbard...

Mets Offer Furcal a Contract

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:29:48 -0500

ase for them. He is currently on his way to the U.S. to discuss deals from the Mets and A's, and possibly others with his agent. He anticipates making a decision very soon on where he will play next year. Wow, I did not see this coming. It is a bold move by the Mets. Bye Bye Castillo obviously. Minaya must have a deal available to him (Vazquez I am guessing). A healthy Furcal and Reyes on the same team.

Rehab Roundup: Church, Castillo and Nixon

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 21:18:15 -0500

Ryan Church was in the lineup for the Gulf Coast League Mets today. Church was the designated hitter, going 1-for-3 with an RBI single.

The Castillo conundrum

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:47:23 -0500

Luis Castillo is expected to in the lineup for the Binghamton Mets Friday night. It has been reported that B-Mets manager Mako Oliveras has been waiting for Castillo to show up at NYSEG Stadium.

Steve Bartman sighting in Arizona

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:45:34 -0500

If you're from Chicago, you remember the play. The Cubs were five outs away from going to the World Series. With one out in the top of the eighth inning in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, Luis Castillo slapped a Mark Prior fastball toward the left field corner and Moises Alou sprinted toward the dividing brick wall. And while most fans with a grasp of baseball common sense..

Luis Castillo is a Rally Killing Cancer

Tue, 27 May 2008 10:54:24 -0500

Luis Castillo is up at the plate. Man on first and second, 1 out, Mets down 3 runs. A chopper to the shortstop who converts a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning. You can apply the above situation to basically any game the Mets lost this year. I feel like I am watching an episode of the Twilight Zone every time Luis Castillo gets up to bat with a man on first base....

Breaking down the 2008 Mets: Second Base

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 03:18:48 -0500

Continuing with our breakdown of the 2008 Mets, today we take a look at the situation at second base... READ MORE

Castillo re-signs with the Mets

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:25:37 -0500

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, citing 'major-league sources,' the Mets and 2B Luis Castillo are close to agreeing to a four-year, $25 million contract. The Astros, Nationals, and Cubs all had expressed interest in Castillo, whom the Mets acquired from the Twins at the non-waiver deadline for two minor leaguers. Four years might be considered a risky move with Carlos Baerga, Roberto Alomar, and Edgardo Alfonzo as our previous 2nd basemen, but this was our only way t...

Mets Sign Luis Castillo

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 01:01:59 -0500

Dominican sports website Impacto Deportivo is reporting that the Mets and Luis Castillo have agreed to a four-year deal worth $25 million. They say to expect an official announcement shortly.

Cubs Interested In Castillo

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 19:20:17 -0500

Ken Rosenthal on Fox Sports reports that the Cubs are considering Luis Castillo along with Kaz Matsui to fill second base. The Mets and Astros are talking to Castillo as well.

Chase Utley, Alfsono Soriano, Roy Oswalt back on track!!!

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 11:56:12 -0500

What a week we're about to have in baseball. Division leaders verse second place, key players make their return, it's going to be awesome.

The Man Gets the Job Done

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:37:08 -0500

Four division titles in five years. For one of the men responsible for the unprecedented success of Minnesota's baseball franchise, general manager Terry Ryan has taken quite a bit of criticism of late.