2058.03 - The Long Beach Independent - Castillo Reaches Major Milestones

[Lane]

500 HR, 3,000 H for Castillo

August 1, 2058
Long Beach, CA

The Surfers beat the San Fernando Bears today, 5-4, improving their record to 59-52, sitting 11 games behind the Frick League Pacific leading Sacramento Mad Popes. The standings are secondary today though, as DH Fernando Castillo has accomplished a second outstanding career accomplishment in dramatic fashion.

In the bottom of the seventh inning with the bases loaded and the Surfers trailing 4-1, Castillo stepped up to the plate against Bears pitcher Arnold Cantrell. Castillo, 41, worked the count to 2-2 against the right handed pitcher. The sixth pitch of the at-bat was driven by Castillo deep into the right-center gap at Vito Costantino Memorial Stadium with an exit velocity of 100.0 MPH. As he jogged to first base, he watched it land in the stands, 385 feet from home plate. He raised his arms in triumph, as the 43,101 fans in attendance rose to their feet and cheered. The scoreboards flashed the announcement that the eventual game-winning grand slam was the 3,000th hit of Castillo's career.

Alejandro Cordova, Bill Morely, Steveland Morris, who scored on the HR, and the rest of the Surfers roster crowded around home plate to celebrate the milestone. The home run was the 514th of Castillo's sure Hall of Fame career.

It was less than two months ago that Fernando hit his 500th home run in a 5-4 loss against the Chicago Black Socks at Vinnie Vitale Stadium. The two-run shot against Albert Krant came with far less fanfare in front of 22,782 fans in Chicago.

For his career, Castillo has accumulated over 60 WAR, seven All Star Game selections, two Puckett awards, and the 2050 FL Comeback Player of the year award. While he was never the best hitter in any singular season, the length and consistency of his career should be enough for voters to select him to the Brewster Hall of Fame following his retirement.

[BaseClogger]

HoFer for sure!