Casey enjoys spoils of being home

12/09/2005
PITTSURGH -- The press conference that the Pirates held at PNC Park on Friday morning to formally introduce Sean Casey to the Pittsburgh media was unlike any other in the relatively brief history of the facility.
In fact, it felt more like a homecoming party than a trade announcement.
Pirates GM Dave Littlefield, who typically reveals little emotion in his public persona, was practically gushing during his opening announcement.
"Besides the statistics that everyone can read about, many people here in the Pittsburgh area know that Sean is a guy with strong character, tremendous leadership and veteran presence," Littlefield said. "We feel he will fit in very well with the very young club we have, with our new manager and with our clubhouse."
Casey, a Pittsburgh native and lifelong Pirates fan, was beaming as he pulled on his No. 25 Pirates home jersey for the first time.
"I feel like a little kid," said Casey. "I rooted for the Pirates growing up around here and it's great to be here. It's great to wear this Pirates uniform. It's always been a dream of mine and it's funny to put it on right now."
The fact the Pirates felt compelled to hold a press conference at PNC Park just hours after a winter storm deposited several inches of snow on the Steel City was an obvious sign that the Bucs view the three-time All-Star as more than just a stopgap to keep first base warm for slugging prospect Brad Eldred. Casey is a hometown hero in a city that doesn't usually consider nepotism a dirty word. And the Pirates, who for years have been trying to give their long-suffering fans cause for hope, were not about to let Mother Nature spoil their fun.
"From a PR perspective, when your general manager tells you that you are getting a guy like Sean Casey, it's Christmas," said Pirates VP of Communications Patty Paytas. "He's so friendly and engaging. You can see the enthusiasm that the community has. It just makes me more excited about this year. I can't wait for Spring Training."
Truth be told, Casey really needed no introduction in Pittsburgh. Most of the reporters on hand Friday had already known the hometown boy for years. Casey, you see, has always gone out of his way to stay in touch with his roots.
"There is something about Pittsburgh, especially about being from here," said Casey. "There is a pride about being from Pittsburgh. It's a hard-working town and they want to see winners. They want to see that commitment to winning."
As a visiting player, Casey never tried to hide his lifelong love of the city and its baseball team. Hearing Casey refer to the Pirates as "we" on several occasions Friday, it was easy to see that he's always had a soft spot in his "Buccos."
"Even when I came in with Cincinnati I loved coming to Pittsburgh as a visiting player because I felt like I was home," said Casey. "There is something about this community and hometown guys. I still have that pride of being from Pittsburgh."
It should come as no surprise to anyone who was raised in western Pennsylvania that Casey's favorite player as a kid wasn't Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonilla, Andy Van Slyke or any of the other stars on the dominant Pirates teams of the early 1990s. It was current Bucs announcer John Wehner, a utility player who happened to grow up inside the city limits.
"I used to go to games just because [Wehner] was from Pittsburgh," said Casey. "I remember one day he was 5-for-5. Maybe a few people will come out just because another Pittsburgh boy is on the team."
Jay Adams, a Pittsburgh native and Casey's roommate at the University of Richmond, has no doubts that Casey will immediately become a fan favorite at PNC Park.
"You always root for the hometown guys even when they play with other teams. To have him back is just unbelievable," said Adams. "We're bringing back a guy who has put up great numbers. Let's hope that it's the start of something great."
The notion the Pirates appear to be moving in the right direction after 13 consecutive losing seasons that have tested the faith of even the club's most ardent supporters was a popular theme Friday.
"I think we have a good team here," said Casey, who suffered through his share of tough seasons as a Pirates fan in the 1980s. "Hopefully we'll be able to bring back winning baseball to Pittsburgh and get to see Pittsburgh excited about baseball again."
And even if Casey, a father of three who will be a free agent after the 2006 season, does end up spending just one season with his beloved Buccos, there are at least two locals who will enjoy every moment of his homecoming.
"My husband and I are ecstatic," said Casey's mom, Joan. "It will be great having the grandkids here."
Contrary to the famous Thomas Wolfe line, you can go home again. Just ask the Casey family.

Source: http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/