PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Phillies’ first series of the second half was truly brutal in almost every possible way, with struggling outfielder Nick Castellanos a main source of fans’ frustration. Boos roared from the ballpark as he popped out in the ninth inning.
Castellanos went 1-for-13 against the lowly Cubs, who were 22 games under .500 heading into Friday. Chicago swept the Phils at Citizens Bank Park, out-scoring them 25-7.
Yikes.
After Saturday night’s loss, Castellanos — who is in the first year of a five-year, $100 million contract — was asked by a reporter if he heard the boos when he struck out late in the 6-2, 10-inning loss.
“Nah man. I lost my hearing,” Castellanos sarcastically replied.
The reporter asked him again, and Castellanos responded, “C’mon, man. That’s a stupid question.” He turned the questions to other reporters: “Can anybody else answer that for him? Anybody?”
“Of course” Castellanos heard the boos, he ultimately confirmed. When asked what the boos felt like, he said, “It is what it is.”
He added he didn’t need to give an opinion on whether fans had a right to do that. He acknowledged he’s struggled before in his career. He said he goes home and gets ready to play the next day.
His career has taken him through Detroit, Chicago and Cincinnati before Philadelphia.
As far as whether there’s a lot of pressure to play in his current city, Castellanos said, “It’s just different. It’s very similar to my first year in Cincinnati. New organization. New faces. New philosophies. New city. New energy. New fan base. It’s nothing that I can’t adapt to.”
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With All-Star Kyle Schwarber cooling off, and no definitive return dates for injured everyday players Bryce Harper and Jean Segura, now more than ever this season is a perfect time for Casetellanos to adapt and put up the numbers fans expected of him when he was signed during spring training.
Prior to Castellanos’ viral comments about fans, the same reporter asked him if he could put his finger on why the team struggled offensively in its first two games back from the All-Star break, as well as Castellanos personally.
As for the team, Castellanos said “it’s just baseball.” Personally, Castellanos said, “[I] haven’t been able to get on base. Obviously, that’s frustrating.”
Castellanos’ postgame comments were obtained through video sent to KYW Newsradio by broadcast partner NBC10, a sister station of NBC Sports Philadelphia.