I have always liked players named Willie: Willie Mays, Willie Stargell, Willie McCovey, Willie Wilson. Now that I think about it, one of my favorite cats was named Willie, as well as my favorite Classic Country singer-songwriter (Willie Nelson).

A recent article in the StarTribune by Phil Miller, got me thinking the last few days about my new favorite Willie. Willi (without the ‘e’) Castro. Castro is the Super-Utility man for the Minnesota Twins. This year he has appeared in every Twins game at the following positions:

• 2B
• 3B
• SS
• LF
• CF
• RF
• DH
• RP

Yes, you read that last one correctly. Castro has pitched 1.1 innings as a Relief Pitcher in 2 games this year and has given up NO hits. The switch-hitting Super Utility man can do it all. Here is a link to his MLB.com page.

Thinking still more about Willi Castro and what he can do, it got me thinking about how would a team of players all identical to Willi Castro do? Over a 162 game season, how many games would a team of Super-Utility players win?

My gut tells me they would win more games than the Chicago White Sox are going to win this year. Well, maybe that is my heart speaking. I know I would want to root for a team of Willi Castros and would like them to do well.

The usual expression, “Jack of all trades, master of none,” is far from the mark with Willi Castro. He is one of the best in the world at playing the most difficult game in the world and does it at a high level at multiple positions, AND he is a switch hitter! Maybe the expression should be, “Jack of all trades, and master of them all!”