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LaMar challenges Castilla

The GM rips some of the veteran third baseman's comments upon his benching while announcing he has his starting job back.

By JOHN ROMANO

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 19, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- Vinny Castilla sounded off when he was benched last week. Now he is back in the lineup, and it is Chuck LaMar's turn to speak out.

The Devil Rays general manager said Castilla will get another opportunity to prove himself, although LaMar took exception to some of Castilla's comments last week about not being shown enough respect.

"I appreciate him saying, 'If you go with the kid (Aubrey Huff), then release me or trade me or whatever.' I'll respect him for that," LaMar said.

"But saying that he was handled without respect? I flew to Baltimore personally to tell him. I've known him since he was 17 years old. Don't tell me about respect, Vinny. We're paying you $13-million over the last two years. Respect works two ways."

Returning Castilla to the starting lineup was one of several moves made by the Rays in the wake of manager Larry Rothschild's firing:

Ben Grieve is moving from rightfield to leftfield, with Greg Vaughn going from leftfield to designated hitter and Jose Guillen taking over in right. Steve Cox, who is the team's leading hitter with a .300 average, becomes a role player off the bench.

First base coach Jose Cardenal was fired and replaced by Lee May, a former All-Star first baseman who was on manager Hal McRae's staff in Kansas City. Third base coach Billy Hatcher is the new bench coach, Terry Collins goes from the bullpen to third base coach and catching instructor Darren Daulton is the bullpen coach.

Starting pitcher Travis Harper was sent to Triple-A Durham and Dan Wheeler was called up to replace him. Mike Judd will come out of the bullpen to take Harper's spot in the rotation.

Castilla was in an 0-for-18 skid and was hitting .206 at the time he was replaced by Huff. LaMar suggested that the move was made to shake up the roster before making the more drastic move of firing the manager.

Now that the Rays have followed through by firing Rothschild, Castilla will get a second chance.

"He has let everybody know -- you all quoted him -- that he worked tremendously hard in the off-season, winter ball, spring training. He's the best he's ever felt," LaMar said. "Well, you know what? We're going to get a chance to see it. He's going to get some playing time, and hopefully he responds accordingly."

Castilla, who was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Wednesday night to extend his hitless streak to 0-for-22, said he has no doubt about his ability to regain his hitting stroke.

"I've never doubted myself. I'm a veteran; I know what it takes to get the job done," Castilla said. "My whole life has been full of challenges. As soon as you put on a major league uniform, there is pressure on you. I'm going to keep working hard and playing hard and I'll get back on top of the game."

As Castilla returns to his old job, Vaughn moves to a new one. Vaughn has been reluctant to work as a full-time designated hitter, but he said Wednesday he was willing to make the shift after talking with McRae.

"He called me and explained the situation to me," Vaughn said. "I can respect and understand that. I'm a team player. His openness and willingness to take the time to explain why he thought if I was the DH the team would be better. Grieve is a little young to be the DH, and we're better in the outfield with Jose Guillen in right.

"He said this will help the team be better and I want the team to be better. Because he came to me and spoke to me, I don't have a problem with it."

Guillen has been a touted prospect for several years, but he has struggled to maintain consistency.

"I've had chances before and never kept the opportunity," Guillen said. "I have to play hard and do what I have to do to not give it up again. This opportunity should be my last, and I'm not going to give it up."

One move that is not forthcoming is a change at general manager.

"Chuck LaMar is the senior vice president of baseball operations and will continue to be," managing general partner Vince Naimoli said. "All of the negatives that have been written about Chuck will become positives and he will soon receive great praise as our farm system clicks in, which it will start soon."

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