It’s been a whirlwind year for Charlise Castro, who is hoping to take a break next month.
Obviously it won’t be a long break.
Kingston High’s three-sport standout, who graduated in 2010, has had a hectic 2017 capped by a wild fall that had her fiance George Springer of the Houston Astros named World Series Most Valuable Player.
PHOTOS: Charlise Castro
“Having him be the MVP, that was insane,” said Castro in a telephone interview from her home in Houston. “The day after, we all partied on the rooftop of the Ritz-Carlton.
“The next morning, we flew to Orlando to Disney World; New York for Saturday Night Live; then back to Texas. We looked at each other and went, “Wow! We’ve been up 24 hours!’
“And we still went to a Texans game and a Rockets game and he was talking to Sports Illustrated. It’s been non-stop.”
S.I. had predicted this back in June 2014 with Springer on the cover and declaring “Your 2017 World Series Champs.”
At that point, Castro had been talking to, but had not yet met Springer. She played international softball with Springer’s sister, Nicole, for two years.
“His sister mentioned him a few times. I had met the rest of the family, but not him,” Castro noted. “This was in 2014. He was still in the minor leagues.”
George, who was called up to the majors that season, had seen pictures of her with his sister and was hooked.
“He randomly texted me out of the blue, saying that he was interested in me. His sister said, “He’s a little shy. You’re going to have to call him.'” Castro laughed. “We texted and talked every day for five or six months.”
Springer was on the disabled list after suffering a quad sprain in July, but traveled with the team when it played at Yankee Stadium Aug. 19-21 that year.
“I drove down to New York City and we met and we kept in contact,” said Castro. “It honestly was love at first sight.”
Castro, who graduated from the University at Albany with a bachelor’s degree in communications then went on to get her master’s in business administration at the College of St. Rose, moved to Houston in ’15.
“I’ve been down here three years and I had made some contacts. I had a good resume built up,” she said. “A normal 9-to-5 didn’t work out with my schedule.
“I had a business degree. Why not start a company of my own? Obviously with my athletic background, I could be a mentor of some sort and help people live a better life, but still be able to travel. Have something of my own.”
Castro has become a A National Academy of Sports Medicine-approved Certified Personal Trainer and has a blog and website called CastroFit.com with the slogan, “Sore Today, Strong Tomorrow.”
“My plate is full but, understand, I wouldn’t change a thing,” she said.
“George projects us as a power couple. His standing has improved 10 times,” said Castro. A local TV station ranked the two among eight Houston power couples, that included Astros teammate Justin Verlander and model Kate Upton, and former President George H.W. Bush and wife, Barbara.
“It’s crazy to think about this. It’s been a great experience for both of us,” Castro remarked. “We’re learning and we’re growing.”
Springer proposed last December while vacationing in Mexico, writing “Will You Marry Me?” in the sand. Castro is working with a wedding planner for the Jan. 20 nuptials, which will be at an undisclosed location. She only confirmed that it is a “destination wedding.”
Castro (an All-Star softball, basketball and volleyball player at Kingston before becoming a standout softball player at Albany) and Springer (a three-sport star at Avon Old Farms, Connecticut before standout at UConn) find time to work out together.
“I’ll throw him some batting practice and we play one-on-one basketball to get warmed up,” she said. A power hitter, she’ll give him tips. “He will take my advice. He respects my opinion.”
Castro was with Springer in California on the Astros’ west coast trip when Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in September.
“I’m thankful to have gone with George on that trip. From the security cameras on our phones, you can see the water really saturate the back yard,” she said.
A nearby river rose, blocking the highway leading to their home.
“The river did not overflow into the development or get into the house,” she reported. “We stayed at a friend’s house until we could back in.”
As a precaution, Castro had her brother Andre move some of their effects to the second floor.
In 2012, Castro played for the Puerto Rican national team competing in the World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma City. She contacted her former players after Hurricane Irma struck Puerto Rico.
“I reached out to them, but they live in the states now, so they were okay,” she said. Springer’s cousin was on the island.
“He finally had cell service,” she said. “We didn’t hear from him for a few days.
“I’m hoping to get over there. We’ve sent over food and water. I definitely like to get more hands on. My prayers go out to them,” she added.
Castro entered the year as a bride-to-be.
She’s seen her business thrive and had a front-row seat as the Astros battled their way to a World championship where her future husband became the MVP. Then came the hectic schedule that comes with that honor.
Oh, and throw in a hurricane.
“It’s insane the highs and the lows of this year,” the future Mrs. Springer said. “I’m definitely looking forward to what next year brings.”
