Starlin Castro had Chicago Cubs’ fans licking their chops since they first caught wind of his Arizona Fall League performance and while they watched his spring training. The newly turned 20-year old Dominican made his major league debut on Friday night.
To say he did not disappoint would be like saying Cubs’ uniforms aren’t blue.
The wunderkind joined the exclusive club of 104 others by popping a shot over the wall off of his new best friend, Homer Bailey, in his first major at-bat.
The three-run bomb easily cleared the right field fence in the Cubs’ 14-7 win over the Reds.
In his second at-bat, Reds’ center fielder Drew Stubbs snagged a hot liner that prevented extra bases—with Castro’s plus-plus speed, Stubbs’ sliding grab may have saved another home run…this of the inside-the-park variety.
Not to worry, fans at Great American Ball Park in Cinicnnati who came out in droves for “Lady’s Night” got a look at Castro’s boot-scooting ability in the fifth inning with his bases loaded triple off of Micah Owings.
With those six RBI, Castro joined an elite club where he is the sole member.
Since statisticians have been tracking RBI, four players have knocked in five runs in their Major League debuts…last being Ben Grieve in 1997.
After the game Cubs’ manager, Lou Piniella talked to the press.
“The kid—what a debut! He’s got to be ecstatic. He should be.”
Castro downplayed it a bit, “I never expected to hit a home run my first at-bat.”
Well, Starlin, believe it. Not every game will be like this, but it’s safe to say that your jump from AA to the bigs will be a long and permanent one.
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