Casey looks to continue winning ways

When John Casey returned to the dugout in 1984 for the first time since graduating from Tufts in 1980, he piloted his team to an 11-9 record, good enough for a 4-4 Greater Boston League record and a third place finish. Over the next three seasons, Casey's teams went a combined 23-38 (.377), a far cry from the dominant squads he pitched for during his own college career and helped lead to three straight ECAC Division II-III Tournament appearances.

Now, entering what will be his 21st season as head coach of the baseball program, Casey has established himself as the most successful coach in the 134-year history of Tufts baseball. His managerial record stands at 341-232-3, a winning percentage of .595, ahead of Ken Nash, who guided the Jumbos to a 212-148-2 record between 1921-1941 (.588 winning percentage). This season will also tie Casey with Nash for the longest tenure as Tufts' coach.

Casey's prominence also extends to NESCAC competition. He holds the fourth-highest winning percentage amongst active NESCAC coaches, and his 21-year tenure is second-most to Amherst's Bill Thurston, who enters his 39th year at the Lord Jeff's helm.

During that time, Casey has coached his teams to NCAA tournament berths in 1995 and 2002, four ECAC titles (1989, 1994, 1996 and 1997), and nine 20-win seasons, including a Tufts single-season record of 27 in 2002.

But for all the success, what exactly is so appealing about the Tufts baseball program?

"I love the kids here, they play hard; it matters to them," Casey said. "Obviously it's got to be something worthwhile to still stay interested in it, and feel like it had value for them."

Casey also feels his time as coach has been rewarding in other ways as well.

"I lost weight, I'm making a comeback!" Casey joked. "It keeps you young, man. Better than a real job. I've been ducking and hiding for 20 years and nobody's gotten me in a suit yet, so that's a victory."

"But you enjoy working with the guys; they're doing everything they can to be successful."

Despite the success he has had on the Tufts diamond, Casey stresses that it's not just about winning.

"Winning's nice, it makes it a lot easier," Casey said. "But I tell my guys it's not life and death. Sometimes it's close and that's good, because that means that they've put a lot into it, and that's what you're trying to teach them."

Casey expects his players to give it their all on the field; but at the same time take advantage of what Tufts has to offer off the field in addition.

"I have a real problem with people who say 'you're a good athlete, therefore you're not smart.' Or 'if you're smart, you're not a good athlete'," Casey said. "No one's figured that out. Why can't you do both well? [This] place can do a lot for you, and I think that's what's important."

Helping Casey with the team are four assistant coaches. Mike Caravella oversees pitching, football head coach Bill Samko is in charge of catchers, Bob Clarke handles the outfield, and Jamie Pinzino, who played third base for the 1995 NCAA Tournament team, is the infield assistant.

"They're just as important as I am," Casey said of his coaching staff. "We always tell everyone that no one is better than anybody else and everyone's equal on this team. They do just as much as I do, and a lot more. I'm the one you yell at if we lose, that's about it."

But with any luck, and a whole horde of talent to work with, there shouldn't be too much to yell about. And as for the youthfulness that coaching brings, can we expect to see Casey pinch running any time soon?

"I see myself being able to get out of the way of line drives now," Casey grinned. "Step behind the screen so I'm less of a target."