9/6 Castro’s hit parade
At the age of 22, Starlin Castro is four hits shy of 500 in his career. Only 27 players in Major League history have reached their 500th career hit before turning 23, and the only active player in that group is the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez. Cubs historian Ed Hartig did some research, and notes that the elite group includes Ted Williams, Hank Aaron, Al Kaline, Mickey Mantle, Jimmie Foxx, Robin Yount, Ty Cobb, Bobby Doerr, Johnny Bench, Orlando Cepeda and Ken Griffey Jr., among others. Since Castro’s Major League debut on May 7, 2010, he leads all National League players with 496 hits. The next closest is Ryan Braun with 489 hits.
– Carrie Muskat

Thank goodness this young man has been developed by our organization with patient skills of Oneri Fleita, Rick Medina, Franklin Font, and many others. Those stats are impressive.