Baseball pays more than fishing

Growing up in the coastal town of Monte Cristi on the northwest side of the Dominican Republic, Castro’s priorities were fishing and baseball — in that order. He gravitated to baseball, but not for the reasons most 9-year-olds in the United States begin playing the game.

‘‘Baseball is very important to us,’’ Castro said. ‘‘One reason I play baseball is because I wanted to help my family in the Dominican. Every kid in the Dominican that plays baseball thinks like that. It’s fun, and if you don’t like baseball, why even play? But also to help my family, too.’’

As it was for many kids from his country, a milk carton was his first glove when there weren’t enough leather ones to be shared. At age 13, he finally owned his own.
‘‘Some guy from America, I don’t remember his name,’’ Castro said. ‘‘But he came to play in the Dominican and came from the same city that I lived. After he was playing one day, he gave me the glove because he knew I didn’t have one.

‘‘I remember that day. You want something for your own to take out there.’’
That glove found a good home, and Castro was signed by the Cubs three years later.

Life in the minors was short for Castro. Called up from Class AA Tennessee last May, it was quickly apparent that Castro was special, especially with the bat. In 125 games, Castro hit .300 with 31 doubles and 41 RBI. This season, he’s hitting .307 with 24 doubles, eight triples and 39 RBI in the Cubs’ first 92 games.

What’s impressive about him, though, is that he hasn’t flinched. Not with talk of goats and curses, not with the Sports Illustrated cover in May and not since being selected to play in the All-Star Game on Tuesday in Phoenix.