News

VIDEO: New Canaan’s Curt Casali Hits Spring Training HR

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New Canaan’s Curt Casali Smacks Spring Training HR 3-18-15
Curt Casali hit a solo home run in Tampa Bay’s 9-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Spring Training action Wednesday afternoon. The blast, hit off MLB veteran Jeff Francis, was the first round-tripper of Casali’s career with the Rays and should help the New Canaan native’s chances of breaking camp with the big club once the regular season starts. Casali is now hitting .300 through six Grapefruit League games with Tampa Bay this spring. He is currently in a battle with teammate Bobby Wilson for the Rays’ backup catcher spot. Newly acquired Rene Rivera is projected to be the starter for Tampa Bay when the season begins on April 6th.

News

New Canaan’s Casali Suffers Concussion, Out for Rest of Season

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Curt Casali’s 2014 major league season came to a seemingly premature end Wednesday night in Boston. The Tampa Bay Rays catcher suffered a concussion after taking a foul tip off his mask against the Red Sox in Fenway Park, according to MLB.com. The 2007 New Canaan High School graduate left the game in the fourth inning, as Boston’s Rusney Castillo fouled two pitches off Casali’s facemask in a three-pitch span. The second tip knocked Casali out of the game and – most likely – the season. Casali became the first New Canaanite to make the major leagues when he was called up by the Rays in July.

Alan Haas

VIDEO: Locals Congratulate Curt Casali, New Canaan’s First Major Leaguer

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Here’s what newly retired Mark “2-5-0” Rearick had to say in a longtime townie Facebook group about Curt Casali, the former New Canaan High School Rams varsity baseball player under “Fiver” who on Friday made his Major League debut—the first New Canaanite ever to make The Show: “A fantastic moment for a most deserving young man.”

Beyond talent and diligence, Casali has earned a reputation for modesty, so we hope our video tribute above doesn’t embarrass the catcher. It’s just meant to say: We’re very proud back here in New Canaan—whether your career, Curt, encompasses 10 at-bats or 10 All Star games, you are our guy who made the bigs—and Saturday’s annual Sidewalk Sale afforded an opportunity to say so as a community. We went with a “tip of the cap”-style tribute for the Tampa Bay Rays catcher. RE59ECT to you, Curt, from some locals—some of whom will be known to you. Hope you enjoy the rest of the summer.

News

‘One of the Best Moments of My Life’: New Canaan’s Casali Promoted to the Major Leagues

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Curt Casali’s dream of becoming a major league baseball player that began here in New Canaan became a reality Thursday when the Tampa Bay Rays promoted him from Triple-A to the big leagues. Casali’s call-up came after the Rays placed starting catcher Ryan Hanigan on the disabled list with a strained oblique. And although the promotion came as no surprise to many in the baseball world, the 2007 New Canaan High School grad never saw it coming. “Shock and awe were the emotions when I first found out,” Casali told NewCanaanite.com. “I’m so excited and thankful for the opportunity, and grateful to the Rays organization.”

If Casali continues to perform like he has in the minors, the Rays will be the grateful ones.

Sports

New Canaan’s Casali Invited to Tampa Bay Rays’ Spring Training

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NEW CANAAN – Former New Canaan High School baseball star and current Tampa Bay Rays catching prospect Curt Casali is one of 11 minor league players invited to the Rays’ 2014 spring training camp. Casali – a 10th Round pick of the Detroit Tigers in 2011 after starring for Vanderbilt – was traded to the Rays just before the 2013 season began, and made an immediate impact with his new team. After being named an All Star with the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League, Casali was promoted to the Rays’ AA Affiliate in Montgomery. Splitting time between catcher and DH, Casali hit .383 for the Biscuits with 5 home runs and 31 RBI in just 35 games. He is one of three minor league non-roster invitees to the camp, which will open February 15.