The Rockies have Blake Street Bomber Vinny Castilla believing.
The former third baseman, now in his 11th season with Colorado as special assistant to the general manager, said this year’s Rockies are like the magical 1995 team — which clinched the franchise’s first playoff berth — in all the best ways.
“There’s a lot of similarities — we have a lot of guys who can hit a lot of home runs and play really good defense,” Castilla said. “But back then, we didn’t have the pitching that we do now. It’s a different club this time around because of that pitching.”
Castilla is a Rockies original, having been selected by the team in the 1992 expansion draft. He played nine seasons in Colorado, hitting .294 with 239 home runs, 208 doubles, 745 RBI and a .530 slugging percentage, in addition to stints in Tampa Bay, Houston, Atlanta, Washington and San Diego.
The 51-year-old reiterated his confidence in the Rockies’ ability to make a run at their first divisional title — and first back-to-back playoff showing — thanks to the emergence of the starting staff over the past month as well as great chemistry.
“We’ve got a great mix of young kids and some veteran guys. There’s a lot of talent here, and I expect us to be back in the postseason,” Castilla said. “The most important thing is we play as a team — we have a lot of stars, but we pull for each other. When a team does that, it shows on the field.”
The longtime fan favorite also wasn’t shy in sharing his opinion on the Rockies’ star who occupies his former position, with turning in another stellar year at the plate in addition to his usual Gold Glove-caliber play at the hot corner.
“He is, without a doubt, hands down the best third baseman in baseball,” Castilla said. “He’s in his prime, and when everything is said and done, he’s going to be the best third baseman to ever play the game.”
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