Casey Parsons – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Casey Robert Parsons found his own way into Major League Baseball in the 1980s, working mostly as a pinch hitter and utility outfielder for four seasons.

He was born on April 14, 1954, and played for the Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, and Cleveland Indians between 1981 and 1987.

Parsons wrapped up his pro baseball career in 1987 after his last season with the Cleveland Indians. He hit a pinch-hit grand slam against the Toronto Blue Jays on August 6, 1987, which turned out to be the highlight of his career.

He finished with a .189 batting average, 2 home runs, and 10 RBIs over 63 games, starting just 5 times. That stat line really shows the specialized, kind of niche role he had.

Casey Parsons’ story gives a glimpse into the grind of a role player who squeezed the most out of limited chances in the big leagues. His path from amateur ball through the minors to his short but memorable MLB stint took a lot of perseverance. That one grand slam really defined how folks remember him in baseball circles.

Early Life and Background

Casey Robert Parsons was born on April 14, 1954, in Wenatchee, Washington. He spent his early years there before heading off to Gonzaga University for college and baseball.

Childhood in Wenatchee, Washington

Parsons grew up in Wenatchee, a small town in central Washington famous for its apple orchards and outdoor lifestyle. He was born there in 1954 and spent his childhood exploring the Pacific Northwest.

The area’s mild summers and active sports scene helped him build his athletic skills. Wenatchee gave him just the right kind of environment to play and learn the game.

As a kid, Parsons stood out as a baseball player. He honed his skills on local fields and played in school leagues.

Wenatchee’s support for youth sports really gave him room to grow. Those early years set the stage for his baseball career.

Gonzaga University Baseball Experience

After high school, Parsons went to Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. He played for the Bulldogs and gained some real experience there.

His time at Gonzaga got professional scouts interested. The school’s baseball program gave him a chance to compete against solid teams.

In 1976, Parsons finished college and started his professional baseball journey. The San Francisco Giants signed him as an undrafted free agent after his college days.

Gonzaga helped him get ready for the next level. Moving from college ball to the minors was the start of his pro adventure.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Casey Robert Parsons played parts of four MLB seasons between 1981 and 1987. He showed up in just 63 games for three teams, mostly coming off the bench as a pinch hitter instead of starting.

Major League Debut and Teams

Parsons made his MLB debut on May 31, 1981, with the Seattle Mariners at age 27. He grew up in Wenatchee, Washington, so it was a bit of a homecoming.

Over six years, he played for the Seattle Mariners in 1981, then moved to the Chicago White Sox, and finished with the Cleveland Indians in 1987.

He only got into 63 games over those four seasons. Teams used him as a utility player and bench guy, not a regular starter.

He spent the most time with the Cleveland Indians, playing his last season there in 1987.

Primary Position and Playing Style

Parsons played as an outfielder in the majors, but his main job was as a situational player. His role depended more on game situations than on defense.

Out of 63 career games, he played in the field just 31 times. He only started 5 games, so most of the time, he came in as a sub.

Parsons stepped up as a pinch hitter or pinch runner 48 times in those 63 games. Teams brought him off the bench when they needed a spark or a specific matchup.

His flexibility let him fill all sorts of roles. Managers liked having him ready for those key moments, even if he didn’t play every day.

Notable Career Highlights

Parsons ended up with a career batting average of .189, 2 home runs, and 10 RBI in 63 games. Not eye-popping numbers, but he did have one huge moment.

On August 6, 1987, he hit a grand slam for the Cleveland Indians against the Toronto Blue Jays. That was one of just two homers he hit in the majors.

That grand slam stands out, especially considering how little he played. He managed to deliver when it mattered, even without regular at-bats.

He retired after the 1987 season. That year with Cleveland marked the end of his run in pro baseball.

Major League Baseball Tenure

Casey Parsons played four MLB seasons between 1981 and 1987. He appeared in 63 games for three American League teams.

He finished with a batting average of .189, 2 home runs, and 10 RBIs. Not easy numbers for a part-time player trying to break through at the highest level.

Seattle Mariners and Initial Years

Parsons made his MLB debut on May 31, 1981, with the Seattle Mariners. He was already 27, which is a bit late for a rookie, but that’s often the case for guys who spend years in the minors.

His rookie season with Seattle was his best in the majors. He played 36 games, got 28 plate appearances, and hit .227 with 1 home run and 5 RBIs.

He mostly played right field in 19 games but also filled in at left, center, first base, and even took a shot at designated hitter.

1981 Season Statistics:

• Games: 36
• Batting Average: .227
• Home Runs: 1
• RBIs: 5
• On-base Percentage: .308

His time with Seattle laid the groundwork for his MLB career, but he didn’t get back to the majors until 1983.

Chicago White Sox Contributions

After missing the 1982 season, Parsons joined the Chicago White Sox. He spent two years (1983-1984) there but hardly got on the field.

In 1983, he played in 8 games and had 7 plate appearances. He managed 1 hit in 5 at-bats, giving him a .200 average. He stayed flexible on defense, covering different outfield spots.

His 1984 season was even quieter. He played just 1 game, got 1 plate appearance, and didn’t get a hit.

White Sox Combined Statistics (1983-1984):

• Games: 9
• Batting Average: .167
• Home Runs: 0
• RBIs: 0
• Plate Appearances: 8

That stretch with the White Sox really shows how tough it is for fringe players to stick. Without regular chances, it’s hard to get into a groove.

Cleveland Indians Period

Parsons finished his MLB career with the Cleveland Indians in 1987. After two years out of the majors, he came back at age 33 for one last shot.

He played 18 games and had 25 plate appearances with Cleveland. He got 4 hits in 25 at-bats, including his second and last career home run, driving in 5 RBIs.

The Indians mainly used him as a designated hitter, but he also played some outfield and first base. His .160 average shows how hard it was to get back into the swing of things after time away.

1987 Cleveland Statistics:

• Games: 18
• Batting Average: .160
• Home Runs: 1
• RBIs: 5
• Final Game: August 9, 1987

His last MLB game was against the Toronto Blue Jays. He didn’t get a hit in his final at-bat, and that was it for his big league career.

1987 Season and Retirement

Casey Parsons played his last MLB season in 1987 with the Cleveland Indians. He got into 18 games before his career wrapped up in August.

His final game happened on August 9, 1987, against the Toronto Blue Jays. That marked the end of a six-year journey in the majors.

Final MLB Appearances

Parsons left his last mark in pro baseball during the 1987 season with Cleveland. He played 18 games that year, mostly as a pinch hitter and sometimes as an outfielder.

His last game was on August 9, 1987, when the Indians played the Blue Jays. He had one at-bat but didn’t get a hit. That kind of summed up his struggles at the plate in his final season.

1987 was his busiest year since 1984. Even with a few more chances, he kept running into the same challenges at the plate.

His stats that season show how tough it was. Parsons batted only a handful of times in 18 games, usually coming off the bench.

Retirement Decision and Legacy

After that August 9th game, Parsons never played in the majors again. At 33, he quietly left professional baseball after six seasons.

He finished with a .189 batting average in 63 games for the Mariners, White Sox, and Indians. He hit 2 home runs and drove in 10 RBIs during his MLB days.

Parsons joined other American League players who retired in 1987. His journey from the Pacific Northwest to three big league teams shows just how tough it is for fringe players to hang on.

Sites like Retrosheet keep records of players like Parsons, making sure their stories don’t just fade away.

Minor League and Managerial Career

Parsons spent over a decade grinding in the minor leagues before making it to the majors. He hit .288 with 82 home runs and 548 RBI in 1,217 games.

After he stopped playing, he managed four different teams from 1989 to 1994, finishing with a combined record of 376 wins and 383 losses.

Minor League Teams and Performance

Casey Parsons started his pro career in 1976 with the Great Falls Giants in the rookie leagues. He moved up through the San Francisco Giants’ farm system, suiting up for teams like the Fresno Giants and Waterbury Giants.

His minor league numbers were way better than his major league stats. Parsons kept a .288 career batting average in the minors, which is a big jump from his .189 in the majors.

Over 11 years in the minors, he showed consistent power. He hit 82 home runs and drove in 548 RBI across 1,217 games.

Even with all that success in the minors, he only played 63 games in four MLB seasons. Sometimes, it just doesn’t translate.

Seven-Year Managerial Tenure

Parsons kicked off his managerial career in 1989, taking charge of the Athletics in the Arizona League. He managed the rookie-level squad for just one season and finished with a 28-25 record over 53 games.

In 1990, he led the Madison Muskies in the Midwest League. That year turned out to be his best—Madison went 74-61 (.548 winning percentage) under his leadership at Single-A.

From 1991 to 1993, Parsons managed the Huntsville Stars in the Southern League. His top season with the Double-A club came in 1992, when they posted an 81-63 record (.563).

He wrapped up his managerial career in 1994, managing the Tacoma Tigers in the Pacific Coast League. The Triple-A team struggled that season, ending up 61-81 (.430) with Parsons at the helm.

Career managerial record:

• Total games: 759
• Wins: 376
• Losses: 383
• Winning percentage: .495

Statistics and Recognition

Casey Parsons didn’t exactly light up the stat sheet during his four years in Major League Baseball. He finished with a .189 batting average, 2 home runs, and 10 RBIs in 63 games.

You can still find his stats in several baseball databases and reference sites that track player history.

Career Batting and Fielding Stats

Parsons’ .189 career batting average shows he struggled offensively in the big leagues. He picked up 10 hits in 53 at-bats across those four seasons.

His best season was 1981 with Seattle. That year, he hit .227 in 36 games, which made up most of his career totals—5 hits and 1 home run.

Career Hitting Summary:

• Games: 63
• Batting Average: .189
• Home Runs: 2
• RBIs: 10
• On-Base Percentage: .254

Parsons mostly played outfield. He put up a 1.000 fielding percentage in most of his defensive chances.

He covered right field, left field, and center field at various times. Parsons also logged appearances at first base and even as a designated hitter during his short major league stint.

Sources and Historical Data

Baseball-Reference.com keeps a full statistical record for Casey Parsons, including game logs and season breakdowns. The site tracks his performance with all three teams he played for.

You can also find Parsons’ stats and game-by-game results in ESPN’s historical database. These sources make it easy for fans or researchers to look up his major league record.

The Baseball Cube has more stats and some biographical info about his pro career. A handful of baseball almanacs and stats sites still maintain his numbers.

Retrosheet, which compiles detailed baseball game data, probably has play-by-play info from games Parsons played in. Thanks to these sources, his brief big-league run hasn’t faded from the sport’s history.

Personal Life and Impact

Casey Robert Parsons kept his personal life mostly private during and after his playing days. His move from player to minor league manager showed he stayed committed to developing baseball talent.

Off the Field Activities

Parsons rarely put his private life in the spotlight while he played. After he retired as a player in 1987, he jumped pretty quickly into coaching and managing.

He started his managerial career in 1989 in the rookie Arizona League. Over six seasons, he managed several minor league teams.

His coaching journey took him from single-A Madison to AA Huntsville, where he spent three seasons as manager.

In 1994, Parsons made it to AAA as the Tacoma Tigers’ manager. He put a lot of focus on teaching young players about situational hitting. In an interview with The Deseret News, he admitted his team had trouble “executing in key situations” and really stressed the value of clutch hitting.

Parsons never got a shot at managing or coaching in the majors. His last recorded season in pro baseball was 1994 with Tacoma.

Influence on the Baseball Community

Parsons really left his mark on baseball, especially when it came to player development during his time as a manager.

He spent six years working with minor league players at different levels, teaching them the basics and the little things that matter.

Drawing from his own background as a pinch hitter and situational guy in the majors, he tried to help young players navigate those same challenges.

He knew what it was like to have limited playing time and to fill specialized roles, and he brought that understanding to his coaching.

When he managed AA Huntsville for three seasons, Parsons worked closely with prospects moving up through the ranks.

He put a lot of emphasis on situational hitting, making it a big part of how he taught the game.

Parsons experienced both sides of pro baseball.

He started as an undrafted free agent, made it to the majors, and then came back to teach the next wave of players in the minors.