The Mayor Leaves Town

I'm heartbroken. Today, my favorite baseball player of all time was traded away from my favorite team. Sean Casey, the Cincinnati Reds' All-Star first baseman, has been dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates for left-handed pitcher Dave Williams. Casey was so friendly and chatty with fans, teammates and opponents - especially when opposing players stood with him at first - that he earned the nickname "The Mayor."

A career .305 hitter, Casey had perhaps his best year as a Red in 1999, the year Wendi and I moved to Cincinnati. That season, The Mayor hit 25 home runs, knocked in 99 RBIs, and batted .332 to lead the Reds into a one-game playoff with the Mets for the Wild Card. New York won that game, but it was a thrilling finish to a fantastic year in which we got to see Casey and Co. play many times at the old Riverfront stadium.

While I can't say that I'll become a Buccs fan now, I'll always be a Sean Casey fan. And though he's actually going to a worse team (if that's possible) he'll at least be heading home - Casey grew up in Pittsburgh, watching Pirates games with his dad.

So long, mighty Casey - it was fun while it lasted.