Casey Fossum
Casey Fossum | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: Cherry Hill, New Jersey, U.S. | January 6, 1978|
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
Professional debut | |
MLB: July 29, 2001, for the Boston Red Sox | |
NPB: April 15, 2010, for the Hanshin Tigers | |
Last appearance | |
MLB: April 26, 2009, for the New York Mets | |
NPB: July 4, 2010, for the Hanshin Tigers | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 40–53 |
Earned run average | 5.45 |
Strikeouts | 607 |
NPB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 2–5 |
Earned run average | 5.72 |
Strikeouts | 48 |
Teams | |
Casey Paul Fossum (born January 6, 1978) is a former professional pitcher. Previously, he played for the
Personal life
Casey Fossum is currently retired from playing Big League baseball and resides in his hometown, Waco, Texas. Casey is married to Kadette Cooper Fossum, a '97 Midway graduate and an '01 Texas Tech Alumna. Casey is involved in his community in helping youth baseball players through the Little League and Select Baseball teams. He lives in Waco, TX, with his wife and their indoor mini horses Duey, Houdini, and Lieuy. He also helps his wife, Kadette, rescue and retrain retired thoroughbred racehorses.
Early years and college
Fossum was born in
Major League Baseball career
1999-2003, Boston Red Sox
Fossum was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the
During three years with Boston, Fossum moved between the
2004, Arizona Diamondbacks
In 2004, Fossum played for the Arizona Diamondbacks and, for the first time in his career, was used exclusively as a starting pitcher. He missed the first 5+1⁄2 weeks to recover from surgery, but finished third on the Diamondbacks staff in starts (27), innings pitched (142) and strikeouts (117).
2005-07, Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Before the 2005 season, Fossum was traded to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for outfielder José Cruz Jr.[2]
In 2006, Fossum was 6-6, with a 5.33 ERA in 25 starts.[3]
On August 10, 2007, the Devil Rays released Fossum.[4] At the time of his release, his ERA was 7.70 in 40 games.[5]
2007, San Diego Padres
Fossum signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres on August 22, but never pitched for them.
2008, Detroit Tigers
On January 24, 2008, Fossum signed a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Pittsburgh Pirates.[6] At the end of spring training, he declined his assignment to the minor leagues and elected to become a free agent. On April 9, 2008, Fossum signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers. On June 3, his contract was purchased by the Tigers, after the DFA of right-handed pitcher Francisco Cruceta, and he was added to the active roster.
2009, New York Mets
On January 16, 2009, Fossum signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets.[7] He pitched three innings for the Mets, allowing one run, and was then designated for assignment.
2009, New York Yankees
On May 2, 2009, Fossum signed a minor league contract with the
2009, Chicago Cubs
On July 3, 2009, Fossum signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.[10]
2011, New York Mets
On February 9, 2011, Fossum signed a contract with the New York Mets.[11]
2012, Baltimore Orioles
On February 2, 2012, Fossum signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles.[12] He was released on April 16.
Pitching style
This section possibly contains original research. (June 2008) |
Fossum throws three different overhand curveballs. The first curveball is a tight-rotating 1–7 curveball that has a velocity in the low to mid 70s, but a pitch that Fossum struggles to throw effectively over the plate for strikes and at times remains too flat. The second curveball is also a 1–7 pitch, has a moderate break while clocking in between 65 and 70 MPH, and can effectively throw for strikes. The third curveball is a 12–6 curveball with a large break, making it difficult to hit. While the pitch has been a very effective pitch for him to use, often landing for strikes or causing popouts, he regulates the pitch as a change-of-pace pitch to prevent batters from becoming used to it. Fossum dubbed this pitch the "Fossum flip", and it is essentially a form of the eephus pitch.[13] He also has a decent fastball in the 88–92 mph range and a changeup that while effective, does not drop as well as the average changeup. Fossum is also a good fielder and has an above-average pickoff move.
Fossum's biggest knock is his stamina. Weighing in at 160 lbs, Fossum has a somewhat violent throwing style and has been injured a few times in his career. In 2004, he missed the first five weeks of the season with a sore elbow, and near the end of the 2005 season his effectiveness was reduced to what he and Lou Piniella attributed to lower back pain. For a relief pitcher, Fossum is also very good at holding runners on base. In 2004, baserunners managed to steal 15 bases out of 23 attempts (a 65.2% success rate), and in 2005, only 10 basestealers out of 14 attempts were successful (a 71.4% rate). The league averages in those seasons were 69% and 70% respectively,[14] but relievers tend to allow higher rates than starters.
References
- ^ "Curt Schilling and the blockbuster trade - CBSSports.com". www.cbssports.com. Archived from the original on January 4, 2014.
- ^ "Around the Majors: Devil Rays-Diamondbacks trade | the Hardball Times".
- ^ Chastain, Bill (February 20, 2007). "Fossum stronger, ready for start of '07; Right-hander has worked with trainers to prevent injuries". MLB.com. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "Tampa Bay Devil Rays release left-hander Casey Fossum".
- ^ "Around the League".
- ^ "Pirates sign pitchers Carrasco, Fossum to minor-league deals".
- ^ Harrington, Mike (January 17, 2009). "Bisons unveil three new uniforms". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ Jennings, Chad (May 2, 2009). "Yankees sign Fossum, To Start Saturday". The Scranton Times Tribune. Archived from the original on May 5, 2009.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 28, 2009. Retrieved June 25, 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Cubs Sign Casey Fossum - fogpog".
- ^ "The Mets sign Casey Fossum". February 9, 2011.
- ^ "Fossum, Orioles agree to minor league deal". February 2, 2012.
- ^ Chastain, Bill (July 31, 2005). "Notes: Fossum introduces new quirk; Light-hearted eephus pitch expands lefty's versatility". MLB.com. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ "2004 MLB Team Batting Stats - Major League Baseball - ESPN".
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs