03/10/2004 8:50 AM ET

Gonzalez-Castillo best DP combo?

Series heroes at the plate, but gloves are great, too

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com Ticket information

 

 

 

JUPITER, Fla. -- Baseball's most dazzling double-play duo made postseason history last October with their bats.

Alex Gonzalez had a Carlton Fisk moment in Game 4 of the World Series with his walk-off 12th-inning home run that swung momentum in the Marlins' favor.

 

And in the decisive Game 6 at Yankee Stadium, Luis Castillo broke out of a horrific slump with an RBI single to right that gave pitcher Josh Beckett all the run support he needed in a 2-0 shutout.

 

The Marlins won the World Series largely because of key hits from Gonzalez and Castillo.

 

Although they both delivered with their bats, the organization boasts that they may be the best double-play combination in the league.

 

A two-time All-Star, Castillo won his first Gold Glove at second base in 2003. Gonzalez, the flashy-fielding Venezuelan, is gaining Gold Glove consideration at shortstop.

 

"They don't get the recognition they deserve simply because they are not in the big media markets like New York," Marlins manager Jack McKeon said. "Fans don't get to see them as much on TV."

 

Beckett, the brash 23-year-old World Series MVP, has never seen a better double-play duo.

"I'm sort of biased for them," Beckett said. "It's so much fun watching them. How smooth they are together, and how they work together."

 

Castillo, with his great speed, rifle arm and nimble feet about second base turns double plays other second basemen wouldn't think of even trying.

 

Gonzalez ranges to his backhand side as well as anyone in the game, and has exceptionally quick reflexes and hands.

 

"I think they are the best tandem in the league ... by far," said first base coach Perry Hill. "They helped win a couple of World Series games, turning double plays to get us out of jams. It's not just the tough double plays either. They turn the routine ones. The ones they should turn, they turn every time."

 

The mere presence of Castillo and Gonzalez changes how pitchers like Beckett approach hitters.

 

"With them, you don't always have to pick [corners of the plate]," Beckett said. "Sometimes, instead of going to the corner, you can go to the third. It definitely helps. You know if a ball is hit, they are going to catch it."

 

Castillo, who played in 152 games last year, had a personal best .986 fielding percentage, committing 10 errors in 729 total chances. He was involved in 99 double plays.

 

Gonzalez posted a .976 fielding percentage, with 16 errors in 679 chances while being part of 109 double plays.

 

"They are like magicians," McKeon said. "When they made plays in the playoffs and people went 'ooh and ahh,' we were thinking, 'That wasn't even good.' We've seen a heck of a lot better than that. That's how spectacular they are defensively."

 

Castillo and Gonzalez had their share of stellar defensive plays in the playoffs.

 

In Game 1 of the NLCS, won by the Marlins in extra innings on Mike Lowell's pinch-hit home run, Gonzalez saved at least two runs with terrific backhanded stops to rob Sammy Sosa and Moises Alou of hits.

 

And in the Division Series against the Giants, Castillo made one of the most heads up plays of the season.

With a runner on first, San Francisco's Andres Galarraga tapped a slow roller to pitcher Mark Redman. Attempting to turn a double play, Redman bounced a throw wide of Gonzalez covering second. Alertly, Castillo backed up the play. Not only did the All-Star snare the bounced throw, preventing it from going into the outfield, he made a bullet throw to first to nab Galarraga for an out.

 

"If I don't get behind him, the ball goes into center field," Castillo said. "That's the way we have to play all the time. Every day when I go out on the field, I try to make something happen. That's what I have in my mind, to play good defense."

 

Communication is critical for the duo.

 

The two are constantly talking to each other on the field, and they are always seeking the advice of Hill, who works with them positioning every batter.

 

In batting practice, Castillo and Gonzalez talk defense.

 

"I think Alex has got the opportunity to get the Gold Glove," says Castillo, a Dominican native. "He plays great defense. I won't be surprised when he gets a Gold Glove. I think he's close."

 

Hill helped develop Montreal shortstop Orlando Cabrera into a Gold Glove winner in 2001. And the first base coach feels Gonzalez is on the verge of a golden season.

 

"I think Alex has improved making the routine plays," Hill said. "There is no better shortstop going left to right. And those balls right to him, he has become much more consistent with them."

 

Winning the Gold Glove is clearly a goal of Gonzalez.

 

"That's my dream to win the Gold Glove," Gonzalez said. "I know I can win the Gold Glove. That's what I want to do this year."

 

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Who couldn't agree with that. They are awesome. :thumbup

Good article...

 

 

Can you say one of the best ever?

I sure would. Look at World Series Game 6. I believe they did 2 double plays.