After long run with Milwaukee, Castro joins O's as bullpen coach

DALLAS - Bill Castro was hired today by the Orioles as their bullpen coach. He joins the club after 37 seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers organization, the last two as pitching advisor for Latin America. Castro spent 18 seasons on the Brewers' major league coaching staff, including the first part of the 2009 season as pitching coach. He previously served as bullpen coach from 1992-2008 and was the pitching coach for the Dominican Republic during the 2006 World Baseball Classic. "It means a lot," Castro said of joining Buck Showalter's staff. "I am happy to get back to the big leagues and have this new challenge after being with Milwaukee so many years. There are some new faces I have to get to know. The only player I know there now is J.J. Hardy and I know Dan Duquette from when he first started in baseball with Milwaukee. "I know Dan and how hard-working he is. It is good for me and good timing. I was looking to do something else outside of Milwaukee. I look forward to working with Buck Showalter." Castro looks forward to forging a solid relationship with O's pitching coach Rick Adair. "Baseball is really a family and it doesn't take too long before you get to know each other," Castro said. "We can know each other from our track records. We'll work together very well." Castro was originally signed by the Brewers as a non-drafted free agent in October 1970 and pitched 10 seasons in the major leagues with Milwaukee (1974-80), the New York Yankees (1981) and Kansas City (1982-83), going 31-26 with a 3.33 ERA and 45 saves in 303 games, including 294 relief appearances. The native of the Dominican Republic feels he can also be an asset to the club's Spanish-speaking players. "Going back to when I first started with Milwaukee in 1971, we didn't have anyone that was bi-lingual and it was tough. Today, they have programs to teach the Dominican players English. But having someone they can (the Dominican players) feel comfortable with and talk to and not only about baseball, that is a big help. All the years in Milwaukee I did a lot of that and was like a grandpa for them. As time goes on, you find out how much they appreciate all your help," Castro said.