Casey Blake was a professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues for over a decade. He was born on August 23, 1973, in Des Moines, Iowa, and attended Indian Hills Community College before being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 7th round of the 1996 MLB draft.
Blake made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays in 1999, but he was traded to the Minnesota Twins in 2000. He played for the Twins for two seasons before being traded to the Baltimore Orioles in 2002. However, he never played a game for the Orioles, as he was traded to the Cleveland Indians later that year.
Blake spent the majority of his career with the Indians, playing for them from 2003 to 2008. During his time with the Indians, he was a consistent performer, hitting over 20 home runs in four of his six seasons with the team. He was also known for his versatility, playing multiple positions including third base, first base, and outfield.
In 2008, Blake was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he played for three seasons. He was a key contributor to the Dodgers' success during his time with the team, helping them reach the playoffs in each of his three seasons. In 2009, he hit a career-high 18 home runs and drove in 79 runs.
Blake's final season in the Major Leagues was in 2011, when he played for the Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies. He retired at the end of the season with a career batting average of .264, 167 home runs, and 616 RBIs.
Throughout his career, Blake was known for his work ethic and leadership qualities. He was a respected veteran in the clubhouse and was often called upon to mentor younger players. He was also known for his clutch hitting, as he had a knack for coming through in important situations.
After retiring from baseball, Blake returned to his hometown of Indianola, Iowa, where he became the head baseball coach at Simpson College. He also worked as a television analyst for the Dodgers and as a scout for the Cleveland Indians.
In conclusion, Casey Blake was a versatile and consistent performer during his Major League career. He played for five different teams and was known for his work ethic, leadership, and clutch hitting. After retiring from baseball, he continued to stay involved in the game as a coach and scout.
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