Castro was a star pitcher at Belen College and the University of Havana in Cuba and attracted the attention of several ML scouts with his wicked curveball. He turned down a $5,000 bonus from the Giants to pursue his law degree, and after graduating became a leader of Cuba’s revolutionary movement. Although he never actually pitched in winter ball as is often claimed, he did once pitch to Don Hoak briefly during a game before being ejected from the ballpark.
