Turnin 2 SS 2b
07-29-2002, 03:40 PM
MONTREAL -- Quietly, Luis Castillo continues to chip away at Marlins' history.
The soft-spoken All-Star second baseman's leadoff single to center Saturday in the first inning was the 738th hit of his career, establishing a franchise record. Castillo entered the game even with Jeff Conine.
It's been a benchmark weekend for Castillo, who also passed Conine for the team mark in at-bats. He now has 2,546.
After his milestone single Saturday, the ball was retrieved. A trainer scribbled Castillo's achievement on the ball, and the date.
"It feels great to have a couple of records," Castillo said. "I want to keep it going."
Setting the hit record is the latest hurdle Castillo scaled this season. Earlier, he received international acclaim for hitting in 35 straight games, the longest streak the league has seen in 15 years and tied for 10th highest all-time.
"He's a real good one," manager Jeff Torborg said. "You appreciate all he's done. But sometimes with the real good ones, after a while you take them for granted. He's just having a wonderful year."
Castillo's achievements transcend the team.
He entered Sunday leading the National League in hits (133) and he's first in the Major League's in stolen bases (33). At .333, he ranks third in the NL, and he has 36 multi-hit games -- tied for fourth.
Castillo also holds an obscure stat lead, leading the NL in road batting average (.352). And he's hit safely in 31 of 32 games away from home.
"The way he's going, he's liable to reach 200 hits," Torborg said.
Castillo already holds the team mark for hits in a season -- 180 (2000).
The soft-spoken All-Star second baseman's leadoff single to center Saturday in the first inning was the 738th hit of his career, establishing a franchise record. Castillo entered the game even with Jeff Conine.
It's been a benchmark weekend for Castillo, who also passed Conine for the team mark in at-bats. He now has 2,546.
After his milestone single Saturday, the ball was retrieved. A trainer scribbled Castillo's achievement on the ball, and the date.
"It feels great to have a couple of records," Castillo said. "I want to keep it going."
Setting the hit record is the latest hurdle Castillo scaled this season. Earlier, he received international acclaim for hitting in 35 straight games, the longest streak the league has seen in 15 years and tied for 10th highest all-time.
"He's a real good one," manager Jeff Torborg said. "You appreciate all he's done. But sometimes with the real good ones, after a while you take them for granted. He's just having a wonderful year."
Castillo's achievements transcend the team.
He entered Sunday leading the National League in hits (133) and he's first in the Major League's in stolen bases (33). At .333, he ranks third in the NL, and he has 36 multi-hit games -- tied for fourth.
Castillo also holds an obscure stat lead, leading the NL in road batting average (.352). And he's hit safely in 31 of 32 games away from home.
"The way he's going, he's liable to reach 200 hits," Torborg said.
Castillo already holds the team mark for hits in a season -- 180 (2000).