But, as with any minor league ball player, the possibility was always there that he could be released.
"You have to resign yourself to the fact that all you can do is your best," Casey told The Times. "Maybe it's good enough and maybe it's not."
Casey was good enough to stay with his organization, the Brewers into 1988, his fifth season. He would go on to play in seven professional seasons. Casey, though, was never good enough to make the majors, making it to AAA, but no higher.
Casey's career began in 1984, taken by the Brewers in the ninth round of the draft out of the University of Portland.
Casey played his first season at rookie Paintsville, hitting .282 with 18 home runs. At Paintsville, Casey also caught the eye of Brewers farm director Bruce Manno.
"He's got better than average power. He's very strong," Manno told The Milwaukee Journal. "We'll take a look at him in instructional league."
Casey moved to single-A Stockton in 1985, his average dropping to .204. He stole 23 bases, hitting 14 home runs. Casey returned to Stockton for 1986, then hit AA El Paso in 1987.
Casey moved to the Oakland system in 1989, playing at AA Huntsville. He hit .249 in 72 games, breaking up a no-hit bid in August.
Casey then got his only look at AAA to start 1990, playing at AAA Tacoma. But he hit just .149 in 48 games. He signed on with the Astros for the second half, playing back at AA in Columbus, Ga. He hit .175.
Originally published Jan. 17, 2012
- Milwaukee Journal, Sept. 13, 1984: Power: Don't look to Brewer farm teams
- Los Angeles Times, Aug. 23, 1985: Season of Hope
More: The 1990 Tacoma Tigers
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