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Good morning, Birdland!
News broke late on Tuesday night that Orioles pitcher Miguel Castro was the victim of a robbery at gunpoint in the Dominican Republic following some sort of baseball clinic he was part of earlier in the day. Castro himself was the one who provided the details via a personal Instagram post.
Here are some of the additional details from MLB.com’s Joe Trezza:
Per an industry source, Miguel Castro was not injured and is physically fine after today’s mugging in the Dominican Republic. In an Instagram post, Castro said he was robbed for his chains and his attackers “wanted to kill me.”
— Joe Trezza (@JoeTrezz) January 8, 2020
“This has to stop,” Castro wrote. #Orioles
Miguel Castro’s agents at @BallengeeGroup provided this statement: “Miguel is safe. He is shaken. He feels extremely blessed and fortunate to still be alive and thanks everyone for their support. He will continue to support his country and use his platform to be a role model.” https://t.co/eJcShlj3P7
— Joe Trezza (@JoeTrezz) January 8, 2020
And also the Orioles statement on the matter:
Statement from Orioles EVP and General Manager Mike Elias pic.twitter.com/lLbReEwsQQ
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) January 8, 2020
Thankfully, it does not appear that Castro, or anyone else, was injured in the incident.
Links & Notes
Orioles Sign José Iglesias, Who Is Both Safe And Fun - FanGraphs
This is not a very Orioles signing! We are supposed to be as bad a possible. What are we trying to do signing some guy is a competent baseball player? In all seriousness, Jose Iglesias is a nice defender and a light hitter. He’s better than Richie Martin, so that’s something.
Orioles Designate Eric Hanhold - MLB Trade Rumors
The club had to make room for Iglesias, so Eric Hanhold loses his job. That is a bummer for him, but it’s not necessarily the end of the road. The O’s could still add him back on a minor league deal and let him fight for a spot in the spring.
Elias on Iglesias signing and its impact on Martin and club - School of Roch
It almost made too much sense. The Orioles needed a low-cost middle infield option and Iglesias needed a job. This works out for both and has the added benefit of a club option in 2021 that feels likely to be picked up, but who knows.
Miguel Castro says he was robbed at gunpoint in Dominican Republic - ESPN
This is the very scary news that broke late on Tuesday. According to the Instagram post from Miguel Castro himself, he was robbed at gunpoint at a baseball field and only got out safely because the robber’s gun jammed. This off-season can end anytime now!
Orioles birthdays and history
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
Breyvic Valera, an Oriole for 12 games in 2018, turns 28 today. Valera is best known as one-fifth of the package the O’s received in exchange for sending infielder Manny Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the 2018 trade deadline.
It is the 52nd birthday of Paul Carey. The former first baseman played in just 18 MLB games, all with the 1993 Orioles.
Another short-time Orioles infielder celebrates his birthday today. Shane Turner is 57 years old. He made a cameo in four contests for the ‘91 Birds.
Outfielder Willie Tasby is 87 years old. The six-year MLB veteran began his career with the Orioles, spending parts of three seasons in Baltimore from 1958 through 1960.
Finally, it is the birthday of the late Jim Busby (b. 1927, d. 1996). The outfielder spent 13 years in the bigs, including two stints with the Orioles (1957-58 & 1960-61).
2001 - Former Orioles designated hitter Harold Baines signs a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox. Baines is just 145 hits short of 3,000 when he signs. He would add just 11 more before retiring.