Vinny day

[Durango53]

Rockies fans will get a rare chance for a proper good-bye for one of their favorites.

The Rockies will honor third baseman Vinny Castilla, who is retiring at season's end, on Sunday by having a tribute to him, having him present the Hispanic Leadership Awards on the field before the game and starting him against the Braves.

The club also will have a video tribute to Castilla next Thursday during the fifth inning of the final home game of the season against the Dodgers, starting at 1:05 p.m.

"Just a big 'Love for Vinny' weekend about to unfold," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "Anybody who wants to come out, say hello, say good-bye, throw him some love because he's going to be in the starting lineup Sunday."

What a first class move by this team who doent do to many like this. :thumbsup:
Vinny is one of the most loved Rockies and one thing I always loved about Rockies fans is that when one of the old guys come back to the field they shower down the cheers! With Walker, the Big Cat, Bichette and EY when they stepped in with other teams you thought they just hit a grand slam to win a game.

I remember I heard one time that Vinny was a up and coming player with the Braves. And when the Rockies got him in 93 he was in tears. Cox just said go over there and do what you can. Well Vinny we are glad you came over and glad you are going to be around still as a coach for the team. :thumbsup:

[Durango53]

http://www.addictsports.com/baseball/attachment.php?attachmentid=2748&stc=1&d=1159197232

[Durango53]

The Rockies honored Castillla before Sunday's game against the Braves, which he started a third base. He'll retire at season's end.

As the team took the field, the rest of the starters stopped at the first-base line and cheered as they let Castilla run to his position alone. In the clubhouse, most of the players wore the Castilla T-shirt that was available for fans.

Castilla ranks among franchise leaders in several offensive categories, was an outstanding defender and appeared in All-Star Games in 1995 and 1998.

"He's hitting in the lineup right behind [Todd] Helton," manager Clint Hurdle said. "To see them together on deck -- he broke Helton in -- and now Helton is here for him.

"Vinny's a good man. His smile is illuminating. That's the one thing whenever I think of him or whenever you see his face, it's the smile on his face. "

It was fitting he would be honored during a game against the Braves, for whom he went to the playoffs twice. Castilla never won a Gold Glove, but Braves manager Bobby Cox ranks him among all-time great fielders.

"He was wonderful for our team, right up there with the best of them -- Brooks [Robinson] and all of them," Cox told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "He never missed a ball."
A class move by the Rockies which for the past few years has been lacking.....

[Durango53]

The Rockies used a Brad Hawpe two-run homer in the eighth to beat the Braves, 9-8, at Coors Field in front of 30,216 in a game reminiscent of the prime of Vinny Castilla, whom the Rockies honored.

[Dward00]

Damn I thought this was a post about Vinny Testeverde. Buhbye~