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The Return Of Sean Casey
By John E. Sacco

Casey will be at bat this spring and summer at PNC Park.

That is, first baseman Sean Casey, an Upper St. Clair native and as Pittsburgh as one can get, will be playing for the Pirates this year.

Pittsburgh could not be happier or more enthused.

Casey's acquisition late last year from Cincinnati, where he spent eight seasons, sent his friends at home into euphoria.

And now that Casey is over the initial impact of the deal, he certainly is glad he will finally don the black and gold colors of the Pirates. He always dreamed of wearing those colors coming up through the youth leagues, playing at Upper St. Clair, and then into the collegiate ranks.

Of course, Casey is not the first native Pittsburgher to play for the Pirates.

He's had some impressive predecessors: Hall of Fame shortstop Honus Wagner, and one-time National League Most Valuable Player Dick Groat to name just two. Wagner was born in Chartiers and grew up in Carnegie. Groat was born in Wilkinsburg.

John Wehner, a color analyst for the team these days, played an important role for the Pirates in the 1990 stretch run to an NL East Division title. Carrick's Wehner filled in wonderfully at third base that season and turned the "homeys" on with some splendid hitting.

While he obviously didn't reach the heights of Wagner or Groat, Wehner remained popular amongst Pirates fans throughout his career.

Other Pittsburghers such as pitchers George "Doc" Medich, who was born in Aliquippa and attended Pitt, and Chris Peters, who played at Peters Township High School, also had the chance to play for their hometown team.

But nothing - since Wagner and Groat of course - will be like the magnitude of Casey coming home to play for the Bucs.

Casey, who was a big Pirates fan during the early 90s run of success, said Wehner drew him and his friends to the team because of his "hometown boy" status.

"The great memories I have of the Pirates were those years of 1990, 1991 and 1992 and the playoffs," Casey said. "The excitement in the city was unbelievable. As a player, I'd love to have kids have that same feeling I had growing up, and really start identifying with players and embracing them."

The exuberance over Casey's arrival here might be a bit much. While he remains an outstanding hitter and offensive player, his power numbers have declined. But he has hit well at PNC Park.

"I don't think there is any more pressure (playing at home)," Casey said. "I think it will be fun. I'm excited.

"I grew during a time when the Pirates were the best of the best."

After spending eight seasons with the Reds and becoming one of city's most admired and adored players, Casey never thought about playing for the Pirates. He assumed he would finish his career in Cincinnati.

"It was always in the back of my mind early in my career about playing for the Pirates," he said. "It was my dream growing up. I thought they were the only big league team. But after playing in Cincinnati all those years, I never envisioned playing anywhere else."

Wehner, who caused a mighty stir with the locals during the 1990 season for the Pirates, said Casey's personality and standing in the game make him much better prepared to play in his hometown than he was 16 years ago.

"It was tough for me because I not only came up into a pennant race, but I was coming up for the first time," said Wehner, who played a lot of third base for the Pirates late that season. "It was hard to deal with distraction-wise. Here I am in the big leagues, living a dream and doing it in my hometown.

"Sean's established. He's used to being distracted. He's used to being the attraction. They called him "The Mayor" in Cincinnati. People just gravitate to him. He's used to the fanfare."

Fans swarmed Casey during the club's Piratefest in late January. He is already the Pirates most identifiable player and clearly has assumed the role of a special ambassador for Pittsburgh baseball.

And he loves every bit of it.

"Sean might have a little more pressure because our fans are going to have great expectations for him. They expect him to help take this team over the hump," Wehner said. "I was just a small cog in the scheme of things when I played here.

"If anyone can handle the pressure and all the fanfare that goes with playing in your hometown, it is Sean. He has the big smile and is so genuine. He is Pittsburgh. Nothing about him is fake. He loves the game and people. He's a special guy and the fans will adore him."

Casey said playing for the Pirates affords him the opportunity to spend more time with his family, have lunch with his mom when he wants, drop his kids of with her and so much more.

"Playing and working in the city you grew up in, and being able to spend more time with family and friends is just priceless," Casey said.

The reality of the situation is that Casey may be here about the same length of time Medich was: one season.

He will be a free agent and the Pirates have big Brad Eldred waiting in the wings at first base.

For now, though, Casey will be at bat for the Pirates. And Pittsburghers love it.

"And I love it, too," Casey said "I used to come to games and watch Wehner play because Pittsburgh people take care of their own. There's that pride. You can't explain to people the pride we have here. The local people will come out. I hope the kids come out.

"I think our players feel we have a chance. We have a good team, we're solid. If the pitchers do what they are capable of doing, who knows?"

PSR Senior Editor John E. Sacco has covered the Pirates and Major League Baseball for PSR since October 1998. He is a former member of the Baseball Writer's Association of America, Pittsburgh chapter.