Sean Casey
I’ve interviewed a lot of players, but few love baseball like Sean Casey does. The guy got thrown out at first base—from left field—and turned it into a motivational speech. He hit the first-ever home run at PNC Park with Willie Stargell watching from above. He’s opened stadiums, collected 1,500 hits, and still sounds like a kid seeing the field for the first time. That’s Casey—part philosopher, part fan, full-time ballplayer. When he talks about Cincinnati’s Opening Day or that view from the Clemente Bridge, you can feel it: the game isn’t just played—it’s lived.
Casey, I’ve got to start with Comerica Park. You hit what looked like a base hit to left and got thrown out at first base. What happened there?
(Laughing) Yeah, that was wild. I’d just been traded to the Tigers. Earlier in the game I’d hit two rockets that were caught—one diving catch in the gap, another snagged at third. So I’m up again, hit another liner to Crede—it looked like he caught it, so I started walking off. Then I hear the crowd go crazy. Turns out it popped out of his glove, rolled into left. Pablo Ozuna, who had an 80 arm, barehands it and throws me out from left field. 5–7–3 putout. Only the second guy in MLB history to do that. I got booed off the field by 50,000 people. But you know what? I tell that story now when I speak—because if you want to do something great, you’ve got to be willing to make mistakes and be embarrassed. That’s part of it.
Yeah, but you’re a career .300 hitter with 1,500 hits. You’re allowed one of those.
(Laughs) Yeah, I ended up getting my only infield hit that same game. Baseball’s crazy.
When you look back at your career—an underrecruited kid who became a .300 hitter, three-time All-Star—what does that journey mean to you?
Baseball’s a game of perspective. You’ve got to believe in yourself when no one else does. I always told myself, “Why not me?” Why not me play Division I? Why not me be a .300 hitter? You’ve got to build confidence and resilience every day. At 50, I can look in the mirror and say, “Well done.” I gave it everything I had.
You’ve done a ton for Pittsburgh—Miracle Leagues, community work. How do you wear that responsibility?
I’ve always believed, to whom much is given, much is expected. One of my gifts is bringing people together, creating community. Baseball gave me a platform to lead, and I want to use it to give back to the city I love.
Let’s talk about ballparks. You’re the only guy I know with the first hit in two stadiums—Miller Park and PNC Park. What was that like?
Unreal. I got the first hit ever at Miller Park—a line drive up the middle off Jeff D’Amico. Then a couple weeks later, I got the first hit and home run at PNC Park. Growing up in Pittsburgh, that one meant the most. My family was there, 70 tickets left for friends. The same bat got both hits—it’s now in Cooperstown. Willie Stargell died that morning, which made it even more emotional. Hearing Lanny Frattare say, “Upper St. Clair’s own Sean Casey hits the first home run at PNC Park”—man, chills.
What do you remember about walking into PNC Park for the first time?
I drove from my parents’ house—like I was heading to an American Legion game. I walked straight down to the field, hadn’t even gotten dressed yet. First thing I thought was, “They nailed it.” The river, the city, the bridge—it’s perfect. The most beautiful ballpark in America.
You also played opening days at Miller Park, Great American Ballpark, and PNC Park. What was the vibe like on those days?
The energy was unbelievable. Fans tailgating at 6 a.m. in Milwaukee, the buzz in Pittsburgh, the excitement in Cincinnati—it’s like electricity in the air. You know you’re part of history.
Speaking of Cincinnati, you’ve been the grand marshal for Opening Day there. How special is that city’s connection to baseball?
Nobody does Opening Day like Cincinnati. The parade, the energy—the city shuts down. It’s a national holiday. Kids skip school, people pack the streets. That’s the birthplace of professional baseball, and they celebrate it like it’s sacred.
Was there a park you loved hitting in?
San Francisco. I hit .476 there. I just raked. Montreal, too—hit over .600 there. I loved Wrigley, though not when Kerry Wood was pitching. Every park has a vibe, but those were magic for me.
You were part of the 1999 All-Star Game at Fenway when Ted Williams came out. What do you remember?
One of the greatest moments of my life. Ted Williams, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays—all on the field. I felt a tap on my shoulder, turned around, and it was George Brett saying, “Love your swing.” I was speechless. Later, Derek Jeter told me that was his greatest moment too—getting tapped by Hank Aaron in that same moment. You realize how sacred that fraternity is.
Last one: Oakland. You played there. What’s your take now that it’s closing?
(Laughs) Honestly? It’s a dump. But man, the history—the A’s, the fans—they deserve better. You had to walk through the crowd from the clubhouse to the field. Vendors selling nachos as you walked to the dugout. Only in Oakland.
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More from Sean Casey
NOTE: The above was edited for clarity and length.
You can read the full transcript here.