Jerry Casale

From BR Bullpen

Gennaro Joseph Casale

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 2", Weight 200 lb.

Debut September 14, 1958
Final Game July 22, 1962
Born September 27, 1933 in Brooklyn, NY USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Right-hand pitcher Jerry Casale was signed by the Boston Red Sox as an amateur free agent before the 1952 season. Jerry progressed rapidly through the system, winning 14 games in his first season with the San Jose Red Sox and followed that up with a 14-8 rcord for the Albany Senators of the Eastern League in 1954. In 1955 Jerry went 17-11 with a 2.96 ERA for the Louisville Colonels of the American Association. The Boston press projected him to be the third or fourth starter in 1956 on a Red Sox staff that included Tom Brewer, Frank Sullivan and Ike Delock.

Casale was looking forward to the 1956 season when Uncle Sam threw him a curve with his draft notice. The Red Sox, however applied for a deferment. Jerry had a great spring training and received the news that his deferment was accepted. Jerry was walking on water ready to come north when manager Pinky Higgins called him into his office and gave him the news they were sending him back to the minors with the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League. Casale went to San Francisco, won 19 games and lost only 11 for the 6th place Seals.

Casale would spend most of the next two seasons (1957-58) in the United States Military Services returning in time to finally make his debut in the major leagues. He appeared in two games in '58, pitching three innings with no decisions. Jerry proved his case at point, coming back to the majors in 1959, where he went 13-8 for the Red Sox that included three shutouts and three home runs. His four-baggers came against Bob Turley, Russ Kemmerer and Early Wynn. The one against Kemmerer has survived in Red Sox lore. Casale quotes, "I believe I hit the longest home run ever by a Boston player. I hit it over the center field wall over the screen, under the flag. The ball left the park. It was a three-run homer and it happened in my first big league start."

Jerry developed arm problems in 1960, went 2-9 and was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels from the Red Sox in the 1960 expansion daft. The Angels then traded Casale to the Detroit Tigers for Jim Donohue. Jerry would finish up his five year major league career with the Tigers in 1962 with a career mark of 17-24 and a 4.66 ERA. Casale would then drop into the minors in 1963 where he would finish out his eight year minor league run with the Buffalo Bisons with a career 81-55 mark with a 4.38 ERA.

Casale has been in the restaurant business for over thirty years. His establishment, Pino's, is located in New York City on East 34th street. He gives customers his business card which is a replica of his 1959 Topps Baseball Card.