Yankees hire Upper St. Clair native as hitting coach
Sean Casey of Upper St. Clair has returned to Major League Baseball. At age 49, he has been hired as hitting coach for the New York Yankees.
“Incredible,” Casey enthused. “It’s the Yankees. The most storied franchise in the history of the game. As a player, you always want to put the pinstripes on, but now I get to do it as a coach. It’s a dream come true.”
It’s a bit of a homecoming, too, as Casey lived in New Jersey until he was 5. His parents, Jim and Joan, are from Long Island.
Additionally, he is reunited with a former teammate. Yankees manager Aaron Boone played alongside Casey with the Cincinnati Reds from 1998-2003. Casey also played for Boone’s father, Bob, and with his brother, Brett.
“The (Boone) family is endearing to me and Aaron and I are just good friends. We cut our teeth together in the major leagues,” Casey said.
“I’ve thought about getting back in the dugout. It’s surprising that GM Brian Ashman would replace a coach at this point in the season but I am honored they asked me. This second-half sprint intrigued me.”
Since American League MVP outfielder Aaron Judge was sidelined with a toe injury June 3, the Yankees have tanked, posting a 14-17 mark before the All-Star break. Judge hit an American League record 62 home runs in 2022.
Since Judge’s injury, the Yankees have had the league’s worst batting average (.195) and on-base percentage (.255). Additionally, the line-up that includes Anthony Rizzo, Giancarlo Stanton, DJ LeMahieu and Gleyber Torres, had the 10th-worst OPS in baseball (.710) over the first half of the season.
“The hopes and expectations are to get us swinging the bats better,” Casey said.
While he has no MLB coaching experience, Casey knows a thing or two about hitting. A lefty, he batted .302 over 12 major league seasons that included stints with the Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox in addition to the Reds. He was a three-time National League All-Star.
“We could overthink it,” Casey said of his first MLB coaching position, “but at the end of the day, I’ve played in the big leagues and you can’t teach that experience. When you are a leader of men in the clubhouse, you basically are coaching.”
Casey added that hitting has been an “obsession” of his and that his resume affords him “credibility” but he’s prepared to put the work in and prove Boone made the correct decision in hiring him to replace Dillon Lawson, who never played in the majors.
“A lot of work goes into hitting. It’s a different ball game with so many analytics,” Casey said. “You need to know the pitchers and the match-ups, who is coming out of the pen and who can wipe you out. So much work,” he emphasized, “but I am looking forward to getting in the cages with these guys, who are all MVPS, the best in the game. They don’t need me to tell them about my technique. They need my support.
“The best hitting coaches I had have been able to talk hitting and in any situation, failed or succeeded, I have been in it. Before the game, during the game and after the game, I always want to talk hitting. Building relationships with the players and figuring things out is going to be the challenge and I look forward to the opportunity. It is going to be a pleasure to deal with these guys every day.”
For the past 15 years, Casey has been working as an analyst at MLB Network. He also has been heavily involved with the Miracle League of the South Hills, which provides playing opportunities to all children of all abilities. He also has been involved in the baseball careers of his sons, Andrew and Jake, who play at Dayton and Kent State respectively.
Additionally, he has helped his fiancé, Sarah, through her breast cancer treatments. After seven long months, she is in remission.
Of the job opportunity hence, Casey said, “It was perfect timing for the family. I talked to Sarah, the girls and the boys and they were thrilled this opportunity came along.”
On July 13, Casey boarded the team charter plane for a series with the Colorado Rockies and Angels before returning to the Bronx. The Yankees were scheduled to play the Kansas City Royals before cross-town series with the Mets. The Yankees will play in Pittsburgh Sept. 15-17.
“That should be fun. I am looking forward to that,” Casey said. “I’m anxious to get started and help the team win. With the Yankees, it’s World Series ring or bust.”
Casey played in the 2006 World Series when the Cardinals beat his Detroit Tigers, 4-1. In five games, he batted .529 with two runs, two doubles, two home runs and five RBIs.
“At this stage of my life,” added Casey, “this is a great opportunity. To wear the Yankees uniform and make a difference in the team’s success is intriguing and a thrill. I can’t wait to get started.”