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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > March > 05 > Entry
Sean Casey still ‘The Mayor’
The search was on for Sean Casey, and he was nowhere to be found Wednesday morning in City of Palms Park, spring training home of the Boston Red Sox.
Jeff Horrigan, former Cincinnati Post beat writer now covering the Red Sox for the Boston Herald, thought he knew where Casey might be.
“He’s probably out in front of the stadium saying hello to every fan as they walk in,” he said.
That wasn’t true, but it could have been because Sean Casey is still, “The Mayor,” a guy who never met a stranger and never made an enemy.
He played first base for eight years for the Cincinnati Reds, until 2005 when he was traded to Pittsburgh for left-handed pitcher Dave Williams, the biggest bust since Morganna or Dolly Parton.
Casey moved on to Detroit and now is with the World Champion Red Sox. He finally showed up in the clubhouse just prior to the game, wearing a Red Sox spring training jersey.
“It’s the right color,” he said. “It’s red. At least I still get to wear red.”
Even though he is three teams removed from Cincinnati, his heart remains with five-way chili and UDF milkshakes.
“It was good to see some of the guys like (coach) Mark Berry and (trainer Mark Mann,” he said.
How about players? A few remain from the Casey Era — guys like Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn, but they weren’t on this trip.
“I don’t recognize a lot of guys anymore,” said Casey. “How’s Ryan Freel? Is he healthy?”
Told the Freel is fairly quiet these days, worried about his job, Casey said, “Oh, really? Jay Bruce?”
When Casey was told the Reds signed Corey Patterson, he said, “Oh, they did? Wow. And they got Jay Bruce. Is he going to get a shot?”
Casey was told manager Dusty Baker isn’t interested in rushing the 20-year-old outfielder unless he proves he is ready.
Casey smiled and said, “Oh, Dusty? That’s right. I forgot. That makes sense.”
Of Cincinnati, he said, “When you spend eight years in one place you always look back and feel like you are part of that organization.”
Casey seemed concerned about the plight of the Reds, and when he was told the team might still be a pitcher or two short, he said, “It seems like that’s all they need. That’s all they’ve needed for a while.”
He ticked off the names of Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo, then said, “Who else? Matt Belisle had some decent games last year, didn’t he? How about Homer Bailey? You think he is going to be what they think he is? I heard guys who faced him say they wonder.”
Then he added, “At least they’re trying, putting money out there. But is a closer (Francisco Cordero) really what they needed? Don’t they have to go through the first four or five pitchers first to get to him?”
Casey says he still feels a part of Cincinnati because fans kept coming up from Cincinnati to Detroit and told him, “We’re here to watch you play.”
Said Casey, “That happens a lot and it’s great. Hey, I had a great run in Cincinnati, eight years, and nothing but good things to say about it.”
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Comments
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March 30, 2008 4:52 AM | Link to this
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By Monty
March 6, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
Hey Homer the Brave(Brave’s fan maybe?)..maybe Casey just happens to still love the Reds and cares what they do. He will ALWAYS be a Red in most people’s book around here. As much as I like Hatteburg and Votto,it would still be nice to see Sean wearing a Reds uniform again and still here. Why not? Hal Morris came back, why not Casey?
By Bob
March 6, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
If you have any doubts about Dusty, look at the Giants or Cubs when he left. Resembled a train wreck. He’s like George ????, the old football coach with the Redskins, mostly old woreout veterans.Look for Jr. another 5-6 yrs., dragging around being the clown for the Reds for 13-14 losing seasons with him stirring the drink. Reggie Jackson he isn’t.
By Ty
March 5, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
I miss the Mayor…even with the past decade of losing, we sure had some good players/people come and go..
By Y-City Jim
March 5, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
Interesting comment about Baker.
By Deaner
March 5, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
Okay… I just made an idiot out of myself… Thanks for ‘writing’ the story Hal!
By Deaner
March 5, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
Thanks for righting this Hal. As with other Reds fans, Sean has always been one of my favorites.
By Homer the Brave
March 5, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Why doesn’t Casey forget about being Mayor and run for president? While he’s at it, he could play firstbase or DH for the Red Sox and be the Reds GM at the same time. How dare he be so arrogant as to question the Reds moves? The Reds have a true star on the horizon, Homer Bailey. That’s all they need to get them to the closer. Remember you heard it here first. Sean Casey……humbug
By berkeleybum
March 5, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
The Mayor for GM. The most telling statement: “Dusty… oh, right. I forgot. That makes sense.”
By bill
March 5, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
Any player with talent and a future is gone from the Reds. Casey is gone, as is Josh Hamilton, as is …