Casey Blake

Casey Blake
Los Angeles Dodgers – No. 23
Third baseman
Bats: Right Throws: Right
debut
August 14, 1999, for the Toronto Blue Jays
Career statistics (through August 3, 2009)
Batting average	.266
Home runs	140
Runs batted in	506
Teams
Toronto Blue Jays (1999) Minnesota Twins (2000–2001) Baltimore Orioles (2001) Minnesota Twins (2002) Cleveland Indians (2003–2008) Los Angeles Dodgers (2008–present)

Blake batting for the Cleveland Indians in 2008 spring training.

William Casey Blake (born August 23, 1973, in Des Moines, Iowa) is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Blake previously played with the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, and Cleveland Indians. He has alternated between playing at third base and first base before becoming a full-time third baseman with the Indians. In 2005, Blake moved to right field to accommodate the Indians' signing of third baseman Aaron Boone, but stayed there for only two seasons before moving back to third base.

Blake was drafted twice prior to signing with the Blue Jays: in 1992, he was taken during the 11th round by the Philadelphia Phillies and in 1995, he was taken by the New York Yankees during the 45th round.

High school and college

Blake was a four-sport stand-out at Indianola High School in Indianola, Iowa where he played baseball, football, basketball, and participated in track. He was named a top-ten high school athlete in the history of Iowa. His high school team, just like his previous major league team, was named the Indians.

Blake attended Wichita State University, where he was a three-time All-American, two-time Academic All-American and participated in the College World Series. He batted .320 with 22 home runs and 101 RBIs during his senior year.

Professional career

Early years

From 1996–2002, Blake spent most of his time in the minor leagues. In the Blue Jays minor league system he played for the Hagerstown Suns (1996), Dunedin Blue Jays (1997-98), Knoxville Smokies (1998), St. Catharines Stompers (1999) and Syracuse SkyChiefs (1999-2000). He made his MLB debut on August 14, 1999, against the Oakland Athletics at third base and went 0 for 3 at the plate. He recorded his first hit on August 29 against the Texas Rangers, and his first home run on October 2 against the Cleveland Indians (off pitcher Jim Brower).

The Minnesota Twins claimed Blake off waivers from the Blue Jays in 2000 and played him primarily at AAA with the Salt Lake Buzz (2000) and Edmonton Trappers (2001-02). He appeared in 7 games with the Twins in 2000 and 13 with them in 2001 before he was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles on September 21, 2001. Blake appeared in only six games with the Orioles at the end of the 2001 season before they released him.

He was picked up again by the Twins in 2002 and played in 9 games for them and 126 with Edmonton that year.

Cleveland Indians

In 2003, Blake became the Cleveland Indians every-day third baseman in his first full season in the major leagues. He had a solid offensive season, leading the team in games with 152, hits (143), and doubles (35) while compiling career highs in every offensive category. Blake started in every spot in the batting order except the leadoff spot, the most common slot being the #2 hole in the lineup. He had a fielding percentage of .952. He was named AL Player of the Week from 6/30–7/6. He ended the season with 17 home runs, 67 RBIs, and a .257 batting average in 152 games played.

In 2004, Blake had his finest offensive season to date in his second straight full season in the major leagues as the Indians third baseman. In June, he hit .330 (37-112) with seven home runs and 21 RBI in 28 games. From June 1 through the end the season, he hit .283, with 22 HR and 68 RBIs in 112 games. He had an AL-low fielding percentage of .939 at third base and led the majors at that position with 26 errors. Blake signed a two-year contract on January 21, 2004. He finished the season with a .271 batting average, 28 home runs, and 88 RBIs.

In 2005, Blake converted to right field and filled in at third base and first base. He had 56 extra base hits. Blake made 132 starts in right field, six at third base and four starts at first. In the outfield, he made eight errors in 298 total chances. In 2005, Blake ended the season with a .241 average, 23 homers, and 58 RBIs, with 116 K's while batting .084 with runners in scoring position.

In 2006, Blake once again was the Indians' starting right fielder. He ultimately ended up missing much of the season due to injury. He played in only 109 games. Blake ended the season with a career-high .282 batting average, 19 home runs, and 68 RBIs.

Andy Marte's demotion to Triple-A resulted in Blake taking over once again as the Indians' starting third baseman. Blake had a 26-game hit streak from May 20 through June 18 during which he hit .317 with seven home runs.

On July 3, 2007, Blake hit a solo home run in the top of the 11th against the Detroit Tigers, which gave Cleveland a three-game lead over Detroit.

As the Indians drove for a playoff spot, Blake hit a game-ending walk-off home run against the Kansas City Royals on September 14, 2007. Three days later (September 17, again against the Tigers), Blake hit another walk-off home run, reducing the Tribe's magic number to 7 and all but ending the Tigers' Central Division title hopes.

Blake was named two time clutch player of the year in his time with the Indians.

Los Angeles Dodgers

On July 26, 2008, Blake was traded from the Indians to the Los Angeles Dodgers for minor league players Carlos Santana and John Meloan. He went 2 for 3 with a double and a run scored in his debut with the Dodgers on July 26, 2008. He hit his first home run with the Dodgers on August 2, 2008. On December 9, Blake signed a three-year extension with the club for $17 million.

Personal Life

Blake currently lives in Indianola, Iowa with his wife, three daughters and a son. When asked about his beard, he answers that he grows it simply because he does not like to shave. The beard also helps camouflage him while participating in one of his favorite hobbies, duck hunting.

See also

• List of top 500 Major League Baseball home run hitters

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs

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