Revs release Castro
Roger Clemens signs autographs for fans outside Sovereign Bank Stadium on Monday. John A. Pavoncello photo.
Before we get to the news on Ramon Castro, just wanted to point a few other newsworthy items:
- Click here to get the full details on Clemens’ arrival in York on Monday.
-Tuesday: Clemens is scheduled to hold a 2 p.m. press conference at Sovereign Bank Stadium on Tuesday. Later, he’ll throw a public bullpen session for about 15 minutes beginning around 5 p.m. Fans with tickets to the game will be able to watch the session. Gates will open at 4:45 p.m.
- Results from Monday: York fell to Sugar Land on Monday night by a final score of 7-2 in the first of a four-game series against the Skeeters (Click here for full game details). The Revs will host Sugar Land in Game Two on Tuesday, with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. York left-hander Ryan Feierabend (7-3, 2.16 ERA) will face left-hander Scott Kazmir (1-6, 6.39). The Revs are now 5.5 games back of Lancaster for first place in the Atlantic League Freedom Division second-half race. York still leads the wildcard by 5.5 games over Somerset.
Now on to Castro…
Ramon Castro left York over the weekend, but he leaves behind several numerical marks and memories during his time in a Revs’ uniform. John A. Pavoncello file photo.
Well, York Revolution manager Andy Etchebarren didn’t wait long to make a decision regarding the future of Ramon Castro with the club.
Just a few days after Etch’ said the longtime Revs’ infielder was suspended, the Revs released Castro on Sunday. It brings an end to some patchy days – and years – between the player and manager. It also caps off an impressive stint Castro has had with York since 2010, although he likely didn’t want it to end in this fashion.
Etchebarren had said last week that he suspended Castro for undisclosed reasons.
“That’s between Mr. Castro, myself and the team,” Etchebarren said.
Etch’ revealed more info regarding Castro when chatting about him following Monday’s game.
“I could’ve left him on the roster. I made a mistake. I couldn’t suspend him without pay for the rest of the season. I could suspend him 10 days without pay,” Etch’ said. “So, I’m not gonna do that, if he’s gonna play somewhere else, I’ll just release him.”
Etch’ said the original suspension stemmed from an on-the-field incident Aug. 29 at Southern Maryland.
“Listen, over the last three years I have given him more chances to show people that he can hustle,” Etchebarren said Monday. “I tried and I’m so tired of it. The last offer (straw) was in Southern Maryland. I’m sure somebody told you what happened. I can’t let my players do that and not do nothing about it. They’re gonna say ‘We can all do that, then.’ I can’t do that.”
Etch’ said it’s the first time he’s had a player do something like Castro did under his watch in all of his years in baseball.
“He put himself ahead of the ball club. That can’t happen. I don’t care how good they are. That cannot happen,” he said.
Castro left for his home in Venezuela over the weekend (for those wondering why he didn’t look for a job with other Atlantic League clubs, York was basically responsible for paying for Castro’s work visa, so I doubt the club would continue to do that while he plays for another team. Castro could still join another Atlantic League club if that club is willing to deal with his visa, which is easier said than done considering his delayed arrivals to York the last couple years because of visa issues).
It’s been an atypical season for Castro. Before the start of the year, Etch’ had said numerous times Castro is the best hitter in the Atlantic League. In his previous two seasons with the Revs, Castro hit .339 in 2010 and .323 in 2011, respectively.
But he’s had an up and down season in 2012, batting .288 through 105 games. The Revs’ all-time leader in RBIs (214) and doubles (81), Castro sat out the Atlantic League All-Star game in Camden in July for undisclosed personal reasons.
Filling the void: Etch’ said Monday the club is close to signing a utility infielder who is a former big leaguer. But the player won’t take the place of anyone in the current lineup.
“Nowak will be at third. Thurston will be at short stop. Perez at second,” Etch’ said. “And Limonta at first. If we clinch a playoff spot, then he (the new player) will play all the time while the regular guys get some rest.”
Given Castro’s defensive abilities (or liabilities depending on how you look at it), Nowak is pretty much on par defensively with Castro. Plus, both Nowak hits for average and has plenty of power. So, it might actually be an upgrade to the Revs’ lineup with Castro gone. Still, it’s tough to see a guy leave who has accomplished so much during his time in York.
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