Out of playoff contention, the Nationals traded him to defending World Series champion Dodgers before the July 30 trade deadline. Scherzer, a top players union representative, has a 0.88 ERA and 72 strikeouts, including nine on Sunday, with his new team. He has won all eight of his starts.
Looking from afar, Castle, now 41 and an executive with the Nasdaq who lives in California, has enjoyed watching Scherzer’s major-league career develop since the first strikeout. So he has two sons, who have Scherzer baseball cards. One has a Scherzer jersey.
“It’s great to see his career progress,” said Cassel, who appeared in 15 games for the Padres and Astros from 2007 to 2008. “I saw it early and there are a lot of cool, talented people who get to play the game, so it’s always fun to see those who make it. It’s been a good part especially with Scherzer, just watching him continue to compete.” Keeps up and continues to get better at his craft, even with age.”
Not long ago, Castle said he had received a text message from a friend informing him that old footage of Castle pitching was on MLB Network. Contemplating which sport could possibly be given his brief career, Castle saw that Chanel was Scherzer’s major league debut, and thus he was also on TV.
“I’m Mr. Nobody and here’s the Hall of Famer,” he said. “I take it as a compliment to connect with her and be with her in the same area. I am a fan of his and I am a fan of what he has done for his career and sport.
Castle said that he recorded the game and showed it to his children, teaching them lessons to learn from failure, especially in a game filled with it. Even now, he laughs about Strikeout vs. Scherzer. He is clearly not alone.