Like politics, there is a subset of the population that can’t handle the hostility bred into us when the game is over. For whatever it’s worth, Castellanos was a guy I figured may be hiding an injury to have such an awful approach at the plate for a guy with such an incredible track record. A “just wait till next year” guy. But he’s made a ridiculous number of memorable plays in right this postseason.
At this point I’m trying to mold my memory this team to be similar to how I remember 1993. They lost in the end, but magical. Same amount of memorable moments. But it seems that half for this team came in the postseason.
Sure, Castellanos has not been the offensive force he was last year at Cincinnati. Still, he was a reasonably solid regular all season. Of course, his contract screams he must contribute more. I hope he will put up numbers closer to his 2021 season next year. I see no reason not to plan on him for next year. Clearly, his contract makes a trade not feasible at this time.
It would only take one big hit/game to change the narrative. Look at Rhys (I mean, he got booed at the home game introductions - seriously! - and could stand to step up again as well, but despite his defense and overall numbers he has delivered a bunch of times. (Nick has quietly gotten hits and driven in runs but not enough, and still no power).
Castellanos actuallly is injured, don't forget. He wasn't the whole season but there's no chance he's actually recovered from the oblique injury. His season probably ends in September on a non-playoff team. Doesn't seem to hurt him when he runs but mechanics and timing at the plate + pain (or fear or reinjury) could be a factor.
I wrote out my rules for booing many years ago. They're for me, not for everyone:
-- Cheating
-- Intent to injure
-- Unacceptable behavior (say, a player flipping off the fans)
-- Egregious delays of game
-- Lack of effort (e.g. not running out a ground ball)
-- When it would be really funny
That said, we salute the intensity of the fans who have made the atmosphere at the Bank so special. It's hard to just turn it off after an emotional game and say "Get 'em next time." There are always going to be bozos who do unacceptable things like taking out their frustrations on someone's family, and there's no excuse fort them. But booing in the moment is barely a misdemeanor.
We just have to hope this was a Carlos Santana type first year for Nick and that he has a couple of good ones left. That also serves as a good reminder as to why the Phillies don't want to trade Nick, they might be able to get a decent starting pitcher or reliever but it would also cost them a top prospect.
My Phillies-wear superstition has not extended to a ban on washing, though only on off-days or between a series. I've got two lucky shirts and I wear the same one until a loss. So this is the first time I've had to switch twice.
It's impossible to tell from the post and tweets what was really going on here. If people were attacking the family or even if they knew the family was nearby (maybe they were all wearing his jersey) that's over the line but if they are attending the game and just happen to hear trash-talk or in-the-moment anger, tough luck.
If I were Nick I'd tell them not to tweet. Compare that to the Bohm incident, or the fact that Jayme Hoskins is out there tweeting with fans and buying them beers even though her husband gets booed by some in pregame.
Not sure what to think about the Masataka Yoshida stories I have been seeing of late.
It is nice to see a Japanese star expressing interest in the Phillies, but is he the player the Phillies should be spending big bucks to bring in for 2023?