Sean Casey Retires
New Studio Analyst for MLB Network
It happened before the start of nearly every series. Sean Casey would emerge from the dugout a few hours before the game that day and begin readying himself for batting practice. Sooner or later, he’d hear the call from across the diamond.
“Hey, Mayor!” an opposing team member would yell as he spotted the shaggy-haired first baseman in warmups.
Predictably, Casey would stop whatever he was doing, turn, smile and give a big wave back. Then, he might rush over to that opponent and give him a big hug. Casey was one of the most likeable, most popular players of the game. It seemed like everybody – teammates, opponents, reporters, fans – loved the guy. And for good reason.
He was a successful hitter, and, to top it off, a really nice dude.
The Mayor of baseball
Sean Casey decided in January to retire after 12 seasons in a big league uniform. His statistics are impressive – a .302 batting average and a three All Star appearance. He wasn't much of a home run hitter, but he never lost the ability to make people around him smile. Now, he’ll do the same for his family and for the audience that will tune in to the MLB Network to watch him talk about the game he loves so much.
After announcing his retirement, the 24-hour-a-day baseball network said two days later it had hired Casey to work as a studio analyst on MLB Tonight, the nightly show that will become the signature program of the network.
“It’s weird,” Casey said. “I almost feel like I’m not really retired. I’m moving onto a new stage of my life. MLB Network really gave me an opportunity to stay in the game and be able to spend more time with my family. That was the big thing for me. It was time to be home more and be with my No. 1 priority. Obviously I’m retired from the field, but I’m moving to a new and interesting stage of my career.”
Casey’s newest job
Casey finished his final season with a .322 batting average in 199 at-bats for Boston. He probably could have returned to the field for another season. But knowing that he likely would have been relegated to a pinch-hitting, spot-starting position, he decided he wanted to stay home more often.
“After playing 12 years in the big leagues – and being a part of the Red Sox was awesome – it had more to do with me and my kids,” Casey said. “I have two boys and a little girl, and it was time to start being home more and to have some stability. But jeez, the tough part about it for me is that baseball has been so good to me. It’s everything I thought it would be and more. It was the ultimate dream. For me, it’s having an opportunity to stay in the game but also being home more.”
Sean Casey’s Reds career
In the end, Casey built his reputation as a first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. It was there that he was a three-time All Star and had his best season in 1999, in which he hit .332 with 25 home runs and 99 RBIs. But that might not be how fans remember him. More than likely, they’ll remember him as the Mayor of baseball.
“When I was raised, my dad said to treat people the way I wanted to be treated,” Casey said. “That was a big thing in my life, not just in baseball. I know I felt like I was a great teammate to all the guys I played with. I really felt like I was that guy. That means a lot to me. If I’m looked at as a nice guy in the game and as a pretty good player, that’s a pretty good combination. I’m proud I was able to be that way with my teammates just as much as what I did on the field.”
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