Starlin, Aramis square off one more time

PITTSBURGH -- When Starlin Castro was called up to the Cubs in May 2010, Aramis Ramirez was 32 years old, and had been with the team since July 2003. Ramirez was one of the veteran players who helped the then-20-year-old shortstop adjust to big league life.

"He's a great guy," Castro said Tuesday of the Pirates' third baseman. "I think he had a great career. He's a really good baseball player. He was good to me when I came up my first year."

Ramirez became a free agent after the 2011 season and signed with the Brewers, before returning to Pittsburgh before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline. Now, he and Castro will square off tonight in the National League Wild Card Game presented by Budweiser, live on TBS at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.

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This season, Ramirez came through for Castro again when Cubs manager Joe Maddon decided to make a switch and start rookie Addison Russell at shortstop. Castro, a three-time All-Star, found himself on the bench.

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"He called me," Castro said of Ramirez. "We went to eat together, and we talked a little bit. He told me, 'Trust yourself and don't let any negative thing put you down. Keep working, you know you're good.'"

Ramirez's message was one of the elements that helped Castro get back on track. The Cubs' infielder was batting .236 when he was benched; he led the National League in batting in September, hitting .426.

"He's pretty good," Castro said of Ramirez. "He'll always talk positive. He has always been real. If he has to tell you something, he'll tell you to your face, he won't talk behind your back."

Tonight's contest could be Ramirez's last game. The third baseman, who is back with the team that originally signed him in 1994, has said this will be his final season.

"I told him, 'You can play,'" Castro said of his message to Ramirez. "He said, 'No, I don't want to. I know I can, but I don't want to any more.'"