Sean Casey
A likable team leader, Sean Casey was a three-time All-Star for the Cincinnati Reds at first base, hitting .300 on a regular basis. A gap hitter, Casey rarely displayed the requisite power normally desired from a first baseman, but he usually performed well when needed, batting .317 with men on base through 2005. Raised in Pittsburgh, Casey collected the first hit in the Pirates new ballpark: PNC Park, and ironically, also delivered the first hit ever at Cincinnati's Great American Ballpark. He was dealt to his hometown team in 2006, but spent less than a season in a Bucs' uniform, as he was swapped to Detroit as pennant insurance. Casey didn't waste his first opportunity in the post-season: batting .432 with a pair of homers and nine RBI in ten games for the Tigers.
Quotes From Casey
"Maybe early on in your career, you think, 'I have to be somebody that I'm not.' I'm not that guy. People always ask me, 'How come you don't hit 35, 40 home runs?' I never have. I drive in runs. You can drive in two runs with a single just as well as with a homer. And I will hit some home runs. I have the power. I'm just a gap-to-gap, line-drive swinger."
Played For
Cleveland Indians (1997)
Cincinnati Reds (1998-2005)
Best Season: 1999
In his first full-season as the Reds' first sacker, Casey batted .332 with 42 doubles, 25 homers, 99 RBI, and 103 runs scored. He followed it up with two more .300 seasons in 2000 and 2001, and through 2006, he had hit .300 or better five times in his career.
Factoids
Sean Casey was one of four career .300 hitters in the Detroit Tigers 2006 lineup, along with Magglio Ordonez, Placido Polanco, and Ivan Rodriguez.
Where He Played
Besides DH, Casey has never played any other position than first base (through 2006).
Born
Sean Thomas Casey was born on July 2, 1974, in Willingboro, NJ.
Batted: Left
Threw: Right
Primary Position: 1B
Primary Team: CIN
College: Richmond
Major League Debut
September 12, 1997
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1997
Todd Helton
Miguel Tejada
Derrek Lee
Magglio Ordonez
Jason Varitek
Kevin Millwood
Matt Morris
Derek Lowe
Keith Foulke
Nicknames
The Mayor
Notes
Through 2006, Casey's highest batting average came in April (.327).
Injuries and Explanation for Missed Playing Time
Casey was placed on the 15-day DL by the Red Sox on April 26, 2008, with hip soreness.
Hitting Streaks
21 games (2000)
Transactions
June 1, 1995: Drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 2nd round of the 1995 amateur draft.
March 30, 1998: Traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Cincinnati Reds for Dave Burba.
December 8, 2005: Traded by the Cincinnati Reds with cash to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Dave Williams.
July 31, 2006: Traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Detroit Tigers for Brian Rogers.
All-Star Selections
1999 NL
2001 NL
Best Strength as a Player
Left-handed batting Casey hits both lefties and righties very well. There's little drop-off against southpaws, which is one of the reasons he hits .300 nearly every year.
Largest Weakness as a Player
He's a dreadfully slow baserunner.
Learn More about Sean Casey
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