Vinny Castilla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vinny Castilla |
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Castilla with the San Diego Padres in 2006
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| Third baseman | |||
| Born: July 4, 1967 Oaxaca, Mexico |
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| debut | |||
| September 1, 1991, for the Atlanta Braves | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 28, 2006, for the Colorado Rockies | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .276 | ||
| Home runs | 320 | ||
| Runs batted in | 1,105 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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 Baseball Hall of Fame |
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| Induction | 2020 | ||
Vinicio "Vinny" Castilla Soria is a famous Mexican former Major League Baseball player. He was a third baseman and played his best years with the Colorado Rockies and Atlanta Braves. Vinny was born on July 4, 1967. After his playing career, he became a special assistant for the Rockies' General Manager.
Contents
Vinny Castilla's Baseball Journey
Early Career with the Braves
Vinny Castilla started his journey in professional baseball in Mexico. In 1990, the Atlanta Braves bought his contract. He made his big league debut as a shortstop for the Braves on September 9, 1991. In 1992, he played in only eight games for the team.
Becoming a Star with the Colorado Rockies
In November 1992, the Colorado Rockies picked Vinny in a special draft for new teams. In 1993, he played regularly and hit nine home runs. He also hit nine triples, which was one of the best in the league.
First All-Star Game and Silver Slugger
After a teammate left, Vinny became the main third baseman for the Rockies in 1995. This was a big moment in his career. By the middle of the season, he was hitting very well. He was chosen as an All-Star for the first time. He finished the season with a .309 batting average, 32 home runs, and 90 RBIs. He also won his first Silver Slugger Award, which is given to the best offensive players at each position.
Leading the League in 1996 and 1997
In 1996, Vinny played even better. He hit 40 home runs and had 113 RBIs. He also had 191 hits, which was seventh-best in the National League. As a third baseman, he was a great defender. He led the league in turning double plays and making assists.
In 1997, he had the exact same amazing numbers: 40 home runs and 113 RBIs. He won his second Silver Slugger Award. For the second year in a row, he led the league in assists and double plays as a third baseman.
Best Season in 1998
Vinny's best season was in 1998. He hit the first-ever home run at the Arizona Diamondbacks' new stadium on opening day. That year, he was chosen for his second All-Star Game. He also took part in the Home Run Derby in front of his home fans in Colorado.
He played in every single game that season. He finished with 46 home runs, 144 RBIs, and 206 hits. These were all career-high numbers for him. His great performance earned him votes for the league's Most Valuable Player award.
Playing in Mexico
On April 4, 1999, Vinny Castilla was part of a special moment. The Rockies played their opening day game in his home country of Mexico. This was the first time a Major League Baseball regular season game started outside the United States or Canada.
The game was played in Monterrey, Mexico. Vinny made the crowd happy with four hits, including a double. The Rockies won the game 8-2. During this series, Vinny briefly wore jersey number 14. He did this to honor his former teammate, Andrés Galarraga, who was battling cancer.
In 1999, Vinny hit three home runs in one game against the Milwaukee Brewers. He finished the season with 33 home runs and 102 RBIs. This was his fourth year in a row with over 100 RBIs.
Time with Other Teams
Tampa Bay and Houston
Before the 2000 season, Vinny was traded to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He played 85 games for them, hitting six home runs. The next year, he played only 24 games for Tampa Bay before being traded to the Houston Astros.
With the Astros, Vinny started hitting well again. He played in 122 games and hit 23 home runs. He also had 82 RBIs. He helped the Astros reach the playoffs that year.
Back to the Braves
In 2002, Vinny signed with the Atlanta Braves again. Even though his hitting numbers were a bit lower, he became a top defender at third base. He led the league in fielding average, making very few errors. In the playoffs, he hit well with a home run and four RBIs. He played another season with the Braves in 2003, hitting 22 home runs.
Return to Colorado and RBI Leader
Vinny returned to the Colorado Rockies for a second time in 2004. He had an amazing year, hitting 43 doubles and 35 home runs. He also led the entire league with 131 RBIs. On defense, he had one of his best seasons, making only six errors all year.
Washington and San Diego
In 2005, Vinny played for the Washington Nationals. He hit 12 home runs and had 66 RBIs. He was also one of the best third basemen in fielding average. In 2006, he played 72 games for the San Diego Padres before being released. He then signed with the Rockies for a third time to finish his career. His last home run with the Rockies came on September 9, 2006.
Vinny's Amazing Career Highlights
Vinny Castilla was always a favorite among fans in Colorado. He was the last player from the original 1993 Colorado Rockies team to retire. He is the all-time home run leader among players born in Mexico, with 320 home runs.
He won three Silver Slugger Awards and was chosen for the All-Star Game twice. He hit 30 or more home runs six times, including three seasons with over 40 home runs. He also had over 100 RBIs five times. At the peak of his career (1995 to 1999), he averaged 38 home runs and 112 RBIs each season. In playoff games, he had a great batting average of .350.
Life After Playing Baseball
Manager and Family Life
Vinny Castilla decided to retire from playing baseball on February 7, 2007. After retiring, he became a special assistant to the Rockies' General Manager. In 2007, he was named the manager for the Mexican baseball team for the Pan American Games. He also managed the team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. In 2008, he was a player-manager for a team in the Mexican Pacific League.
Vinny is married to Samantha, and they have three sons: Vinicio Jr., Daulton, and Cristian.
Hall of Fame Recognition
In 2020, Vinny Castilla was honored for his amazing career. He was inducted into the Mexican Professional Baseball Hall of Fame. This is a very special award for baseball players in Mexico.
See also
In Spanish: Vinicio Castilla para niños
- List of Colorado Rockies team records
- List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders
- List of Silver Slugger Award winners at third base
- List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders
