Vinny back in town plus an exciting win
That’s right - Vinny Castilla, a man who will for most be known as a Rockie, is back in town for his third stint in Colorado. Earlier today, the Rockies announced that they had agreed to terms with Vinny Castilla on a minor league contract, with the intent that Vinny will be called up this September once the rosters expand. Vinny has said this is his last year in the bigs, which also means he will retire right where he belongs, in a Rockies uniform. Cue the ‘awwwwww’ and heart-warming music and forget about it? Not so fast. As has been pointed out numerous times by even the likes of Jeff Huson, Castilla will do more for the Rockies than just add some fans to Coors Field and a feel-good story to tomorrow’s papers. Castilla will add a veteran prescence to the dugout, but he’ll also add a bat that’s alway dangerous. And with Rockies pinch-hitters batting below .200 before tonight, his .260-ish lifetime pinch-hit average will really help the bench, especially at Coors Field, which is a ballpark that Vinny basically owns. Castilla is also still a solid defensive third baseman, and will be able to come in late in ballgames and give Atkins an ocassional day off, which could come in handy if the post-season happens this year. Vinny should also be a step above Luis Gonzales, one of the few guys who’s replaced Atkins this year, since he’s a natural third baseman. All in all, a heartwarming, but potentially very solid move for the Rockies.
Skip forward to tonight’s game, and you have yourself a doozy. Let’s just say, YAY FOR TIMELY HITTING! Finally, finally, finally, the Rox managed to put a few hits together and have people come through with runners on base late in the game. Yorvit ‘Freaking Clutch’ Torrealba, who I remind you is only 28, came up big again with the game-tying RBI in the eighth, and Bradlee Hawpe singled home Jamie Carroll (Hairiest knuckles on the team) walk-off style in the ninth. If the Rox learn from this and keep up the hitting-when-it-counts, we might have ourselves a ball club.
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1. Sam - August 15, 2006 @ 12:49 pm
Gabe, you’re out of control. You can’t fake nickname that much. I don’t think. I mean, you just did. But still.
-Sam “Ironic, Huh” McHandyjones
2. Gabe Stein - August 15, 2006 @ 1:32 pm
Why not? I mean, the rest of the article was well-written, and at least the nicknames have merit. PLUS, notice how I deliberately avoided doing it to Carroll and did parenthesis instead. I was proud of myself for that.
3. David Kaufman, M.D. - August 17, 2006 @ 5:56 pm
Great to read some honest sports writing, calling the play as it is….we could use you guys in Boston…lot of rubbish writing here in Bean Town.
4. Gabe Stein - August 17, 2006 @ 7:17 pm
Thanks and glad you think so.
5. Sam - August 18, 2006 @ 12:55 pm
Dude gabe–that’s my grampa.
6. Gabe Stein - August 18, 2006 @ 1:28 pm
Meh, how am I supposed to know? But it sounds like he knows his Boston sports coverage, and doesn’t like it.