Irvin Castille facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Irvin Castille |
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| Shortstop / Third baseman | |||
| Born: May 17, 1926 Lafayette, Louisiana |
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| Died: August 4, 2015 (aged 89) Whittier, California |
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Irvin Castille (born May 17, 1926 – died August 4, 2015) was a talented baseball player. He played as a shortstop and third baseman. Irvin was part of the Negro American League from 1951 to 1953. He was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, and played baseball by batting and throwing with his right hand.
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Meet Irvin Castille, a Baseball Star
Irvin Castille was a skilled athlete who played in a special time in baseball history. He was known for his quick moves as a shortstop and his strong defense at third base. These positions are very important for a team's defense.
Playing in the Negro Leagues
Irvin Castille joined the Birmingham Black Barons in 1951. This was during the final years of the Negro Leagues. The Negro Leagues were baseball leagues where African American players could play professionally. This was because, for many years, they were not allowed to play in Major League Baseball due to racial segregation.
In 1953, Irvin was chosen for the East–West All-Star Game. This was a very big honor, like being picked for today's MLB All-Star Game. It showed he was one of the best players in the Negro Leagues. In 1952, he also played for the Brandon Greys team. This team was part of the independent Mandak League.
A Special Tribute from Major League Baseball
Years later, on June 8, 2008, Major League Baseball did something amazing. They held a special draft to honor the surviving Negro League players. This was a way to recognize these players who were kept out of the "Big Leagues" because of their race. Each MLB team chose a former Negro League player. Irvin Castille was drafted by the Oakland Athletics.
Just a week after this special draft, the San Diego Padres honored Irvin. They celebrated him during a home game at Petco Park. This event was part of a "Salute to the Negro Leagues." Later that month, Irvin signed autographs and shared stories about his playing days. He did this at an event called "Times of Greatness Mobile" at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago.
Irvin Castille's Later Life
Irvin Castille lived for a long time in Whittier, California. He passed away there in 2015 when he was 83 years old. His life showed how important the Negro Leagues were and how much their players contributed to baseball history.
