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Thread: Sean Casey Retires

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    Sean Casey Retires

    From the Eagle-Tribune of North Andover, Mass...

    The Mayor not seeking re-election
    On Pro Baseball
    Bill Burt
    January 16, 2009 03:53 am

    Former Red Sox backup first baseman Sean Casey says he is about two weeks away from the inevitable.

    As Casey spoke via phone from his Pittsburgh home, his 5-year-old son Jacob was making noise in the background. Family comes first with Casey.

    "Unless there is an offer that blows me away, I will be retiring," said the 34-year-old Casey, who with wife Mandi has three children, ages 7, 5 and 3.

    "And I'm not talking about money as I am the opportunity to play a lot more. It's time to be around the family more. It would be too difficult to go another city, move the family and be just a part-time player. My family is ready to be in one place."

    Casey, though, isn't complaining about his final year as a role player with the Red Sox. To the contrary.

    "I'm so glad that I came to Boston," said Casey, who hit .322 with 17 RBIs in 199 at-bats last year. "It was everything I thought it would be and more. There is no other place in baseball that has the feeling of Fenway Park every night.

    "It seemed we were winning every night. I got to step in a few times to really help out whether it was backing up (Kevin Youkilis) or filling in when Mike Lowell got hurt. The tough part about playing part-time, for me, was you never get in a true rhythm. Coming off bench is not easy. But I enjoyed every second I was there."

    One of the fringe benefits of being here was that he saw one of his best friends, Fr. Paul O'Brien, pastor at St. Patrick's Church in Lawrence, regularly. It was a friendship that started when he was a collegian playing in the famed Cape Cod League and they met at a grocery store.

    In fact, Casey got Fr. O'Brien, who oversaw his marriage and baptized all three of his children, to run periodic prayer services at Fenway Park for some of the players.

    "That meant a lot to me and some of the guys," said Casey. "Guys were really thankful and appreciative of that."

    Among his favorite experiences in a Red Sox uniform, the trip to Japan, as difficult as the travel and stiff neck he suffered was, is right near the top.

    But No. 1 was no doubt being in the dugout for Game 5 of the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park.

    The Red Sox were down in the series, 3-1, and trailing that game 7-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.

    The Red Sox scored four runs in the seventh, three more in the eighth to tie it, and won it in the ninth, when J.D. Drew's two-out single knocked in Youkilis.

    The irony is Casey struck out swinging on four pitches in the eighth inning and the Sox trailing, 7-6. But he was the first one at home plate to hug Youkilis when he scored the game-winner.

    "Just being able to share that with 25 guys in clubhouse," said Casey, "is a memory I will take with me the rest of my life."

    He also got to experience "Manny being Manny" up close and personal.

    "I remember being told that, 'You're going to see Manny do something,' " said Casey. "Well, it did happen (when Manny was saying he was injured and asked to be traded in July), which was a crazy few weeks in Boston. But looking back, Manny was a great guy, man to man. But then it got crazy."

    Casey said he got a new-found respect for left-handed batters at Fenway Park.

    "Fenway is not a lefty-friendly park for power hitters," said Casey. "I didn't realize that as a visiting player. But it is hard to hit them out in right field. At one point, I remember going up to David (Ortiz) and saying how amazing he really is to hit 50 home runs in a season, playing here."

    Casey said he would be remiss not to mention the experience he had watching a Rookie of the Year become a Most Valuable Player.

    "Dustin Pedroia is one of the greatest teammates I ever played with, and I've played with some great ones," said Casey. "That's the ultimate compliment, being a great teammate. He's one of the hungriest players I've ever seen. He only wants to win. I will always root for Dustin."

    Another benefit was becoming a Boston Celtics fan, especially when he was on the disabled list and didn't travel with a team for a few weeks. He attended a few Celtics games and saw the same craziness he saw at Fenway Park.

    "I got caught up in it a few times," said Casey. "That was an amazing run (the Celtics) were on. The Garden was electric."

    While the Red Sox chose to go in another direction with Casey, opting to sign Mark Kotsay as Youkilis' backup, he holds nothing against the franchise.

    "Are you kidding me? The Red Sox know how to treat a player. Everything they do, from the top on down, is professional," said Casey. "I saw the John Smoltz press conference. He said everything I've said all year. The Red Sox do it right. Theo Epstein has a plan and he carries it out. Everyone is on the same page. And everything is first class."

    The 12-year veteran's shining moment was in 2006 with the Detroit Tigers. He went 9 for 15 (2 HRs, 5 RBIs) over the last four games against the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series.

    "As I was rounding the bases after hitting the home run against (Jeff) Suppan, all I could think of was my dream had come true," said Casey. "I was remembering playing Wiffle Ball in the yard, imagining that I was hitting a home run in the World Series. I'll never forget that."

    If Casey has played his last game, his career unofficially ended last week in Boston when the Boston Baseball Writers honored him with its annual Tommy McCarthy "Good Guy Award."

    "I can't tell you how proud I was to get that from the writers," said Casey. "What a great day that was. They didn't have to do that. But it was perfect way to end it. I will always be able to say I played for the Boston Red Sox and had a ball doing it."

    E-mail Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.


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  3. #2
    Member SirFelixCat's Avatar
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    Re: Sean Casey likely to retire

    One of the best guys in all of baseball. We're better having been able to watch him play here in Cincy! Enjoy your retirement, SC!

  4. #3
    Rally Onion! Chip R's Avatar
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    Re: Sean Casey likely to retire

    In a different year, Sean would probably still have a job.

    The good news, for Reds fans, is that Sean has no affiliation with another team so he can do the ex-Red thing. He'll probably be elected into the Reds HOF on his first year of eligibility and he'll probably be at Reds Fest every year.
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    Re: Sean Casey likely to retire

    Quote Originally Posted by Chip R View Post
    In a different year, Sean would probably still have a job.

    The good news, for Reds fans, is that Sean has no affiliation with another team so he can do the ex-Red thing. He'll probably be elected into the Reds HOF on his first year of eligibility and he'll probably be at Reds Fest every year.
    I would be on the phone inviting him to Spring Training right now. It might be a little early since he still wants to play, but I still make the call. I also wouldn't mind him as the pinch hitter off the bench. I think he would do that in Cincinnati without hesitation. Sean Casey will always be one of my favorite players.

    I wonder if he hugged Manny when he met him?
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  6. #5
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    Re: Sean Casey likely to retire

    Great guy, kind of an odd career. I never thought he was going to be a star or anything, but if you would have asked me about Casey in 1999, I would have told you that I thought he'd be the type of guy that would play at a fairly high level until he was 40. I saw him as a poor man's Tony Gwynn--- someone who could hit .300 in his sleep and always hold down a roster spot.

    But he dipped a bit more than I would have guessed. Still, he's had a very nice career, and as everyone knows, he's left a positive personal mark everywhere he goes and with everyone he meets. I'm sure he will do well whatever path he chooses from here.

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    Re: Sean Casey likely to retire

    Quote Originally Posted by Jpup View Post
    I would be on the phone inviting him to Spring Training right now. It might be a little early since he still wants to play, but I still make the call. I also wouldn't mind him as the pinch hitter off the bench. I think he would do that in Cincinnati without hesitation. Sean Casey will always be one of my favorite players.
    No. Under no circumstances whatsoever. Joey Votto is our first baseman and I don't want to hear Marty/Lance/the cavalcade of Casey friends in the media calling for Votto to be benched the first time he goes into a slump.

    Casey seems like one of the all-time class acts, but to bring back a guy with his reputation and contacts in this town to play behind a second-year player would be madness, in my opinion.

  8. #7
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    Re: Sean Casey likely to retire

    Sean Casey -- by EVERY account I've ever read, one of the nicest and most genuine people in any walk of life.

    Beyond what you read about, there was another side of Sean Casey even more generous and kind than his public persona. One of my favorite of those stories goes (according to the source I heard it from, who would have reason to know and no reason to fabricate) that Casey received a letter at the clubhouse from a person in central Ohio who was helping to raise money to help a huge Reds fan pay for a parents funeral. They asked if Casey would sign a jersey or a hat or something that they had provided so that it could be auctioned off to help.

    Casey called the person back and offered to just pay for the funeral expenses out of his own pocket. They turned down the request, saying it was too generous and they coudn't accept. So, instead, Casey called up a local store (personally) and arranged to do an autograph signing there with proceeds going to this fund. He then drove up to the town, sat and signed autographs all day, and raised all the money needed for the funeral.

    I don't know that the story ever made the rounds in the media (I had never heard it until it was told to me a while ago), but it was just one example of the things Casey did that went completely unnoticed by anyone other than Sean and the people he helped.
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    Registered User Reds1's Avatar
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    Re: Sean Casey likely to retire

    Bring back Dave Burba. LOL.... Just kidding. Casey was one of my favorite players. He was part of that special 99 team. Can't believe he is that old already. He will be missed.

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    Party like it's 1990 Blitz Dorsey's Avatar
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    Re: Sean Casey likely to retire

    I thought the end was very near for him, but figured he'd play one more year. But when you've got that much money in the bank, a beautiful family, ain't nothing wrong with retiring at 34 and just enjoying your life. If we all were so fortunate.

    One of the all-time great guys and he had a few pretty good years with the Reds. I'll always hope the best for Sean Casey.

  11. #10
    I hate the Cubs LoganBuck's Avatar
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    Re: Sean Casey likely to retire

    I have heard several people making calls on the radio recently for the Reds to bring back Casey. The always say as a pinch hitter/bench guy. I always want to bash my head against the wall. Pinch Hitters like him are anchors on a team, he can only play one position, and unless you use him with RISP he is of little value as a pinch hitter, because you have to pinch run for him.

    On second thought, the Reds could sign Casey, Start Dickerson in Center everyday, and have Taveras pinch run for Casey. Brilliant! Bring me a Guinness......
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    Baseball card addict MrCinatit's Avatar
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    Re: Sean Casey likely to retire

    I always liked the guy. He was a rather exciting player for a couple of years and probably one of the more popular players when he was with the Reds. I know my dad ceased being a fan when they traded him, he was so angry. I'll never forget a couple of his dives over over the tarp for a foul-ball out.
    Of course, then there was that thing where he was thrown out at first by Whitesox left fielder Pablo Ozuna.

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    Pagan/Asatru Ravenlord's Avatar
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    Re: Sean Casey likely to retire

    Sean Casey's career
    Code:
    Age	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
    23	10	1	2	0	0	0	1	1	2	0	0	200	333	200
    24	302	44	82	21	1	7	52	43	45	1	1	272	365	417
    25	594	103	197	42	3	25	99	61	88	0	2	332	399	539
    26	480	69	151	33	2	20	85	52	80	1	0	315	385	517
    27	533	69	165	40	0	13	89	43	63	3	1	310	369	458
    28	425	56	111	25	0	6	42	43	47	2	1	261	334	362
    29	573	71	167	19	3	14	80	51	58	4	0	291	350	408
    30	571	101	185	44	2	24	99	46	36	2	0	324	381	534
    31	529	75	165	32	0	9	58	48	48	2	0	312	371	423
    32	397	47	108	22	0	8	59	33	43	0	1	272	332	388
    33	453	40	134	30	1	4	54	39	42	2	2	296	353	393
    34	199	14	64	14	0	0	17	17	25	1	0	322	381	392
    Career	5066	690	1531	322	12	130	735	477	577	18	8	302	367	447
    Average	584	80	176	37	1	15	85	55	67	2	1	302	367	447
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    Re: Sean Casey likely to retire

    Quote Originally Posted by Ravenlord View Post
    Sean Casey's career
    Code:
    Age	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
    23	10	1	2	0	0	0	1	1	2	0	0	200	333	200
    24	302	44	82	21	1	7	52	43	45	1	1	272	365	417
    25	594	103	197	42	3	25	99	61	88	0	2	332	399	539
    26	480	69	151	33	2	20	85	52	80	1	0	315	385	517
    27	533	69	165	40	0	13	89	43	63	3	1	310	369	458
    28	425	56	111	25	0	6	42	43	47	2	1	261	334	362
    29	573	71	167	19	3	14	80	51	58	4	0	291	350	408
    30	571	101	185	44	2	24	99	46	36	2	0	324	381	534
    31	529	75	165	32	0	9	58	48	48	2	0	312	371	423
    32	397	47	108	22	0	8	59	33	43	0	1	272	332	388
    33	453	40	134	30	1	4	54	39	42	2	2	296	353	393
    34	199	14	64	14	0	0	17	17	25	1	0	322	381	392
    Career	5066	690	1531	322	12	130	735	477	577	18	8	302	367	447
    Average	584	80	176	37	1	15	85	55	67	2	1	302	367	447
    Not a bad career for the mayor. He's a good guy and was a pretty darn good hitter.

  15. #14
    So Long Uncle Joe BoydsOfSummer's Avatar
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    Re: Sean Casey likely to retire

    Wow--he averaged two steals/year! Wouldn't have bet on that one.
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  16. #15
    Red's fan mbgrayson's Avatar
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    Re: Sean Casey likely to retire

    And Sean Casey's career salary numbers, per Baseball-Reference.com:

    1998 Cincinnati Reds $175,000
    1999 Cincinnati Reds $220,000
    2000 Cincinnati Reds $400,000
    2001 Cincinnati Reds $3,000,000
    2002 Cincinnati Reds $4,000,000
    2003 Cincinnati Reds $5,600,000
    2004 Cincinnati Reds $6,800,000
    2005 Cincinnati Reds $7,800,000
    2006 Pittsburgh Pirates $8,500,000
    2007 Detroit Tigers $4,000,000
    2008 Boston Red Sox $800,000

    Career (may be incomplete) $41,295,000

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Salary Data courtesy Doug Pappas, member of SABR.
    Salaries for mid-season call-ups or traded players may not be shown
    It looks like he can afford to retire at age 34... lol.
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