Daily Archives: July 10, 2011

Dodgers End First Half on a High Note

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Well, first “half”, since the midway point was over a week ago, but you get the idea. After three of the lowest months I can remember as a Dodger fan, sweeping the Padres behind two Andre Ethier homers (finally vaulting him past Rod Barajas for second on the club), a rare quality daytime start from Ted Lilly, and yet another nervewracking 9th from Javy Guerra is mighty tasty.

Also tasty? The burgers I’m attempting to grill on this fine Sunday, which explains the abbreviated recap. But fear not: midseason grades start tomorrow.

You No Longer Have to Fear Juan Castro

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I don’t usually repost Dodger press releases, but this one is too important to ignore: we no longer have to have nightmares of a fifth Juan Castro stint with the Dodgers.

The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced that 17-year Major League veteran and former Dodger infielder Juan Castro has retired as an active player and been named to the position of Special Assistant, Baseball Operations and Player Development. Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti made the announcement.

 “Juan was a consummate pro as a player,” said Colletti. “The opportunity to add him to our staff as someone who can both recognize and teach those traits is a true plus for this organization.”

Castro, 39, will spend time in player development and in evaluating at both the minor and Major League levels. 

“It was time for me to make the decision to end my playing career,” said Castro. “I’m honored that Ned thought of bringing me back to the organization where I first signed as a young kid more than 20 years ago. I’m very excited to once again work for the Dodgers in a new and challenging role.”

I know we make fun of Castro a lot, and he stopped being worthy of a major league roster spot years (decades?) ago, but for a guy who could never really hit or run (just five stolen bases in all that time somehow?) he really did manage to carve himself out a nice career that any of us would have killed for. So long, Juan; enjoy being one of Colletti’s 75 special assistants.