Sure, Casey Blake got a bad rap here in C-town for a variety of well-deserved reasons, but despite all that, he was one of my favorite Indians. While I’m still not in a solid enough mental state to properly reflect on the CC Sabathia giveaway trade, Casey’s trade is different story.
See, Casey was a solid, if not spectacular player, but what he lacked in flash, he made up for in grit and consistency. It’s cliche to say that white guys are all about determination, but at the same time, that was undeniably Casey’s game. Sure, he wasn’t going to drive in 100 runs or hit .350 and smack 30 HR’s, but he wasn’t going to fuck your defense up (I’m looking squarely at you Jhonny) or be a massive liability (see: every corner outfielder who has played for the Tribe in the last 3 years) in any of the multiple positions he played.
He was above average, and that’s the best way you can describe him. And you know, the way he played the game, with Cal Ripken-esque mediocrity, was endearing to the city. We didn’t really love him as a player, but he was such an integral part of the TEAM that we learned to live with him as fans, even though he could be brutally frustrating at times.
Every team needs a player like Casey Blake. While a team full of Casey’s won’t win jack shit, a team without a player like him won’t either. He’s the guy who bridges the gap between prospective stars and established stars, while providing reliable play every single night and his clubhouse presence goes beyond what you see in the box score.
But the thing I’ll miss most about him? NOBODY in MLB had a cooler beard, and now the Indians have to fill the “awesome beard, always has a MASSIVE dip in” quotient, something that’s not easy to replace.
So, in honor of Casey Blake, I offer a couple of the most awesomest beard/dip pictures of him I could find (in a 30 second Google Image search…hey, he was awesome, but not awesome enough to spend a 45 second Google Image search on). Oh, who are we kidding, he’ll resign in the offseason.
Two future MLB Hall of Fame Dippers...oh, and Carlos Guillen licks scrotum.
I'm surprised that moribund Sean Casey could even slide.
TATIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!