Theo Castillo was cut twice. Now he bats cleanup in October

Released by two clubs before he turned 25, the Mariners’ third baseman leads the team in RBIs.

A runner's foot on a yellow stadium step

Theo Castillo keeps both of his release letters in the top drawer of his locker. “Not for motivation,” he said. “For perspective.”

The Mariners signed Castillo to a minor-league deal two springs ago. This season he hit .284 with 27 home runs and a team-leading 96 RBIs, and he has batted cleanup in every playoff game.