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Resurgent McGehee reminded of past with Crew

MIAMI -- Marlins third baseman Casey McGehee had some time to visit with old familiar faces this weekend while the Brewers were in town for a three-game series at Marlins Park.

McGehee played for the Brewers from 2009-11. An injury to Rickie Weeks gave McGehee a chance to step into a starting role for Milwaukee in 2010, and McGehee made the most of the opportunity and went on to have a stellar season for the Brewers. He had a .285 batting average with 23 home runs and team-leading 104 RBIs in 157 games and was voted the Brewers' MVP that season.

Things sort of went south for McGehee the next couple of years, however. His batting average fell to .223 in 2011, and his season totals in home runs (13) and RBIs (67) also dropped considerably. He led NL third basemen in errors with 20. After the 2011 season he was traded to the Pirates, and in July 2012 he was dealt to the Yankees, who a month later optioned him to Class A Charleston before recalling him when rosters expanded in September. Last year, McGehee played in Japan.

The Marlins signed McGehee to a one-year deal last Dec. 18, and so far he is showing signs of having found his old form. He entered Sunday's game against the Brewers with a .287 batting average and 30 RBIs (tied for eighth in the NL). Although he has cranked only one home run, McGehee has been delivering in clutch situations.

The 31-year-old third baseman had a .407 batting average with runners in scoring position entering Sunday, second on the Marlins behind only slugging Giancarlo Stanton (.421 RISP). McGehee also ranked third among MLB third basemen in multihit games with 16.

"I think I just got back to my approach that I kind of lost for a while," McGehee said before Sunday's series finale against the Brewers. "Just trying to hit to the big part of the field, don't worry about hitting the ball out of the ballpark. Just trying to hit the ball hard. I think that's the big thing, just getting back to my approach."

McGehee said it was good to see some of his old teammates from Milwaukee this weekend and that he had "nothing but good things to say about them and the organization." It also was a chance to think back for a moment on the best year of his MLB career, so far.

Steve Dorsey is a contributor to MLB.com.
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