Former Met backstop added to roster

(Central Islip, N.Y., April 6, 2013) – The Atlantic League champion Long Island Ducks today announced the signing of catcher Ramon Castro. The 13-year Major League veteran begins his first season with the Ducks and in independent baseball.

“Ramon is well known for his success in the big leagues among New York baseball fans,” says Ducks president and general manager Michael Pfaff. “He brings a power bat and excellent defense to our team this season.”

Castro has played for the Florida Marlins, New York Mets and Chicago White Sox at the Major League level. For his career, the 37-year-old has 67 home runs, 217 RBI, 155 runs and 66 doubles in 567 games. His best season came in 2007 with the Mets when he posted a .285 batting average, 11 homers, 31 RBI and six doubles in 52 games. Behind the plate, he has a career fielding percentage of .990 and has thrown out 30{fed8f40cd2a68a8c30440cd209af7e0b5f3e2c8d6275da881303f7d48df340f1} of potential base stealers.

The Puerto Rico native was a member of the Marlins team that won the 2003 World Series and was the catcher for White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle’s perfect game in 2009. He spent time during Spring Training this year with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization and last played professionally with the White Sox in 2011. His best minor league season came in 2001 with Calgary (AAA, Marlins) when he batted .336 with 27 home runs, 90 RBI, 81 runs and 33 doubles in 108 games, earning Pacific Coast League All-Star honors. Castro was originally drafted in the first round (17th overall) by the Houston Astros in the 1994 amateur draft.

The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. The Ducks begin their defense of the Atlantic League Championship on April 18 at the Sugar Land Skeeters. Opening Day at Bethpage Ballpark is April 26 as the Ducks host the Skeeters at 7:05 p.m. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.

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