THIRD BASE: Vinny Castilla, Rockies
Just call it the not-so-hot corner. The roll call of third
sackers having off years is lengthy: Cal Ripken, Matt Williams,
Ken Caminiti, Travis Fryman, Robin Ventura, John Valentin, Ed
Sprague and Edgardo Alfonzo. Castilla, though, just keeps
rolling along. After consecutive 40-home-run seasons, he could
challenge Mike Schmidt's record of 48 dingers by a third
baseman. The future, though, belongs to Chipper Jones and Scott
Rolen, whose blow-a-gasket drive on the bases and afield is a
pure joy to watch.
photo by Al Tielemans
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