Hello, got the following the other day from longtime MBTN contributor Gordon:
When the Mets came into the clubhouse after Saturday night’s victory over the Dodgers, WPIX had a camera set up showing the high 5’s. Greeting the victors was uniform number 60 with the name Castro. I can’t find him on any of the Mets major league or minor league rosters. Any idea?
Actually, Gordon, I don’t, and the photo you provided (posted above) only makes things more mysterious. A google search for “Castro 60” reveals that the man pictured should be Lilliano Castro, who was photographed along with the rest of the Mets at spring training. But that’s the only clue to his identity, the google trail goes cold after several pages noting this photograph. I’d guess Mr. Castro is an organizational instructor of some kind, probably a catching instructor. But if there was a press release noting such, I missed it. A look back at our spring training rosters shows No. 60 as “vacant.”
Hard to believe in this day and age of media saturation and web sites obsessively chronicling the mundane that stories like Castro’s escape our attention but I guess some always will. Anyone know who this guy is? There’s probably a good story here.
To keep updated on the roster situation, it appears No. 55, Chris Young, has thrown his last pitch as a Met and lefty Pat Misch, No. 48, is up again.
Submitted by EdgyDC on Tue, 05/10/2011 – 10:16pm.
Bob Natal is listed as the Mets catching coordinator. While that sounds like more of an organizational job than a uniformed coach, I figured he and Debus took care of any catching instruction at the major league level.
I now figure I figured wrong.
“Batting Practice Pitcher”
Submitted by Glenn (not verified) on Tue, 05/10/2011 – 10:19pm.
That’s what he’s listed as in the Media Guide. Apparently 2011 is his third season as the batting practice pitcher and his 11th working in the Mets organization. He was formerly the manager of the Mets’ Dominican Summer League team (06-08).
Thanx Glenn
Submitted by Jon Springer on Wed, 05/11/2011 – 6:30am.
11 years in the Mets org and I never heard of him until yesterday.
Debus
Submitted by gored82 on Wed, 05/11/2011 – 7:19am.
Who’s Debus?
No. 56
Submitted by Jon Springer on Wed, 05/11/2011 – 9:18am.
Jon Debus is the new bullpen coach.
That’s why this site is the
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/11/2011 – 11:03am.
That’s why this site is the best. I saw this on TV after the game as well, couldn’t find anything on Google, and here is an explanation just a few days later! On the subject of obscure coaches, anyone know who the second bullpen catcher is this year?
Wonders of Citi Field
Submitted by gored82 on Wed, 05/11/2011 – 11:40am.
I was at this game, but I was able to see this on TV in the Delta Club on the way out. One of the wonders of the new ballparks! At least fans get a little extra for the increased ticket prices…
Bullpen Catcher
Submitted by Gordon Handler (not verified) on Wed, 05/11/2011 – 12:07pm.
http://www.nj.com/mets/index.ssf/2011/03/mets_uncertain_when_injured_ca….
This article from March reports Castro as a bullpen catcher who worked with Carlos Beltran this spring. I don’t understand why he isn’t listed as a uniformed Mets coach.