Stars player Castillo dies in car crash

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 1997 | 10:55 a.m.

Las Vegas Stars pitcher Marino Castillo was killed in an automobile accident Sunday in his native Dominican Republic, according to Stars manager Jerry Royster.

Castillo was 26.

Royster, reached at his home in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., confirmed that Castillo died as the result of an accident, but had no details.

"I have been on the phone all evening but I was not able to get through to the Dominican Republic," Royster said late Monday evening. "I don't know the specifics of the accident but it's really irrelevant.

"I'm searching for information, just hoping (to find) something that will shed light on the whole situation but, in reality, there's not much that can be said. My answers aren't going to be found in someone saying how he was killed."

A spokesman for the San Diego Padres said the team would have no comment on Castillo's death until it could gather more details on the accident. The Padres are expected to issue a statement today.

Castillo's death marked the second time in 16 months that the Stars -- and Royster -- have lost a player to an automobile accident. On May 25, 1996, infielder Mike Sharperson was killed in a single-car accident on I-15 after a game at Cashman Field.

"It's hard to believe that something like this could happen -- again," Royster said. "It's just devastating. It's really not very fair ... there are two kids gone and both of them by car accidents ... it's a lot for me to try to handle."

Castillo, a hard-throwing right-hander, was a promising prospect in the Padres' minor-league system. A reliever throughout his professional career, Castillo was moved into the starting rotation by Royster this season and he compiled a 6-5 record with a 5.14 earned-run average in 30 games (19 starts). His win total was second on the Stars' staff, as were his 102 strikeouts in 126 innings.

"He went out there as a reliever, he went out there as a starter, he went out as a closer and he went out as a long (relief) man -- whatever we asked of him -- and he didn't complain at all," Royster said. "He was just one of those guys who was just happy to be on the team and whatever needed to be done for him to become a major leaguer, he was willing to try anything."

Although Castillo did not receive a promotion to the Padres following the end of the Stars' season Sept. 1, Royster said Castillo was on the verge of being called up to San Diego several times during the season.

"Marino was under consideration a couple of times this year and we were hoping that this winter would get him over the hump and have him help out our major league team," Royster said.

"(Padres general manager) Kevin Towers will tell you that there were several times he called me with the intention of bringing him up or the possibility of bringing him up; he was just so close. I do believe he would have been invited to spring training next year ... with an opportunity to make the (Padres)."

Royster said he expected the news of Castillo's death to hit his players very hard -- as did the death of team leader Sharperson last year.

"He was very well liked by everyone on the team," Royster said. "There are going to be some players who are going to be very hurt by this, by this information. I guess it's up to me to call the guys ... it's going to be a tough one -- again.

"You just can't put into words (what his death means). He's going to be greatly missed by the guys he played with."