EL NUEVO DIARIO, SANTO DOMINGO.- The Chosen Baseball Club paid tribute this Sunday to Wilkin Castillo’s 14-year career with the long-haired, retiring the number 44, which he always used with the team.
Castillo, a symbol of the recent history of the scarlets, has been a player of great value in obtaining the last four championships, standing out for hitting timely hits and impregnating leadership within the clubhouse for his teammates, qualities that earned him to be appointed team captain.
The president of the Lions, Luis Manuel Bonetti, presented a plaque to the historic receiver in which he highlighted “his great dedication and passion in his career as a player for our team. Your work and effort remain as an indelible example for all future generations.”
During the ceremony, the long-haired mask also received a personalized bat and tennis shoes from board members Felipe Vicini and Luis Armando García, respectively.
Likewise, José Miguel Bonetti Du-Breil, member of the Board of Directors, delivered a framed jersey with the number 44, which from this Sunday is exclusively assigned to him until he is out of baseball.
“With his dedication, his passion and his leadership, Wilkin was a key player in all the championships we achieved. No player is going to put on that number 44 again in the Chosen One, however, he has to continue wearing that uniform as a coach”, indicated Bonetti Du-Breil.
Upon receiving the recognition, “El Capi” thanked the management, fans and teammates for the gesture, as well as the trust placed in him since his arrival in the red troop.
“I want to thank the owners who always trusted me, especially José Miguel with whom I have a very close relationship. To those fans who always supported me in good times and bad times, I am very grateful to you. This is as far as El Capi came from,” declared Castillo, who is one of the best catchers the Dominican Baseball League (Lidom) has ever had.
The former general manager of the scarlets, Moisés Alou, also joined the celebration through a video projected on the stadium’s giant screen, and a personalized package was also delivered to the 38-year-old former baseball player.
In addition to the members of the board of directors, the act held prior to the match against the Tigres del Licey was attended by the captain of that team, Emilio Bonifacio; the president of Lidom, Vitelio Mejía, and Castillo’s mother, Mrs. Iris Soto.
Wilkin played a total of 17 seasons in Dominican baseball, 14 of which were with the Chosen One, enough to place his name alongside other great red receivers such as Federico Velázquez, Ramón Lora and Wilfredo Tejada, being first in the departments runs scored (150), doubles (57), and stolen bases (24). He also finished second in hits (360), RBIs (142), games played (454) and bases (467).
Regarding his numbers in Lidom, the Baní native is top 10 in the main offensive categories for a catcher, being second in steals with 25; fourth in scored with 167; fifth in hits with 368, and sixth in bases reached with 502.
Castillo played his last season with the Lions in 2021-2022, taking eight shifts in the regular season, in which he batted .375, with three hits, one double, one RBI and one stolen base.
