Chicago Cubs: What Starlin Castro means to Cubs fans

On May 7, 10 years ago, the Chicago Cubs’ Starlin Castro made his debut. It’s no doubt he botched the ball in the field–but he was an excellent hitter and a sparkling personality.

It’s true. The Chicago Cubs’ Starlin Castro did juggle the ball at times. But he was an immaculate hitter and the best teammate Chicago has ever seen, generally speaking. That’s why when he was traded to the New York Yankees and then to the Miami Marlins, it was a sad day for Cubs fans.

He homered in the first at-bat and then hit a bases-loaded triple to finish with six RBI. It what endeared him to fans–and not his glove–that solidified his spot. He finished with 991 hits, nine short of 1,000. He left after the 2015 season, going to the Yankees.  And while he wasn’t appreciated then, he was after he left.

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He has 1,617 hits, almost halfway to 3,000. If he can average 178 hits over the next eight years (this one seems to be shot), so nine seasons and he can get to 3K hits. It’s possible, but not likely. He would have to average 170+ hits in 20 seasons (including the last 10.) That would be a milestone, indeed. Plus, a World Series title would be great. Just saying.

Castro was the quintessential piece, even though he wasn’t a part of that team. He brought the likes of Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Anthony Rizzo and more to the Cubs. He always had a smile on his face and was genuinely a good guy.

Castro meant more than the Cubs than meets the eye. See what I did there? Transformers? Nevermind. Although he did. He meant more to the Cubs even after he was gone. Addison Russell was proof of that. He was the one player that Cubs fans wanted to win a title. And maybe he will.

To emphasize the fact that it was a fan favorite of the Cubs is an understatement. To anybody that questioned him, remember Russell. We don’t have any of them. And by Baez moving to shortstop? We don’t have a second baseman: Oy, vey.