Sean Thomas Casey (born on July 2, 1974, Willingboro Township, New Jersey ), nicknamed "the Mayor," is a first baseman in Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox. Sean graduated from the University of Richmond, where his .461 batting average in 1995 led all Division I players, he was drafted in in the 2nd round by the Cleveland Indians and was traded to the Reds before the season. Casey had his best year in hitting .332 with 25 HRs and 99 RBIs in 151 games. In 1999, he won the Hutch Award.
During his tenure in Cincinnati, and later in Detroit, Sean Casey was regarded as approachable and friendly, and his nickname, "the Mayor", comes from his reputation for chatting casually with every runner who makes it to first base, and from his very public charity work. It was frequently expanded to "the Mayor of Riverfront" when the Reds played at Riverfront Stadium. On May 16, 2007, Casey was voted "the friendliest player in baseball" by fellow players. Casey is also regarded as among the slowest-running players in the game, grounding into 27 double plays in the season.
Sean Casey was signed to the Reds through the season. However, he was traded December 6, 2005 to his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates for left-handed pitcher Dave Williams. During an injury plagued 2006 season, Casey hit .296 with three home runs and 29 RBI in 59 games for the Pirates. On July 31, 2006, Casey was traded to the Detroit Tigers for minor league pitcher Brian Rogers. During the 2006 American League Championship Series against the Oakland Athletics he partially tore his left calf muscle in Game 1. After coming back from his torn calf in Game 2 of the World Series, he became the hottest hitter for the Tigers, belting 2 home runs and batting in five games. His .432 batting average was one of the best in Tigers postseason history.
Casey has made the sports news for his charitable work almost as often as his fieldwork. He has been active in Big Brothers and Make-A-Wish Foundation, as well as the "Casey's Crew" program, where he provided free high-priced tickets to disadvantaged youth. Casey credits his Christian upbringing, in Pittsburgh's affluent Upper St. Clair suburb, for his generosity.
Casey is, in fact, a lifelong Catholic and is featured in the film series Champions of Faith which shows how faith shapes Major Leaguers.
After being told by Dave Dombrowski & Jim Leyland that Sean would not be re-signed, he still praised Mike Ilitch, Dave Dombrowski, & Jim Leyland for giving him the opportunity to come play for Detroit. Sean said it was the best part of his whole career and it was a dream come true. Sean made it to the World Series in 2006 with the Tigers after coming to Detroit at the trade deadline from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
On February 5, , the Boston Red Sox officially announced they had signed Casey to a one-year deal.
