The New York Yankees today announced that Sean Casey has been named the club’s hitting coach.

Casey, 49, joins the Yankees’ Major League staff after spending the last 15 years as an analyst for MLB Network. 

“I’m just really excited about having this opportunity in the second half to impact the guys in the lineup,” said Casey. “The Yankees have a lot of professional hitters, and I’m looking forward to connecting with them and getting on the same page. I’ve already spoken with both Brad Wilkerson and Casey Dykes, and I can’t wait to utilize their skills and everything they have to offer. As far as our hitters go, I think every guy is different. There’s no way to cookie cut hitters, and if you start doing that, you get into trouble and underutilize strengths they may have. I’m going to get to know each player and their approach at the plate. One thing I will stress is controlling the zone and hunting in the zone. I want them to control their process and stick to their approach with the goal of winning every pitch. At the end of the day, we’re going to focus on making sure each hitter has a process that brings out the best version of himself.

“I’ve been in professional baseball for almost 30 years, and my passion is hitting and the mental side of the game. Working at MLB Network for the last 15 years, I’ve been able to keep my finger on the pulse of the game, speaking with current big leaguers, watching a tremendous amount of video, breaking down film as part of my job and trying to figure out what hitters are doing physically and mentally. So I feel good about being ready for this opportunity to teach and impart my experience and ideas. Also, having Aaron Boone in the dugout was a huge factor in me taking this position — with how well I know him and how much respect I have for him as a manager. I also have so much respect for Brian Cashman, the Steinbrenner family and what it means to put on the pinstripes in terms of the history of the game.

“I think every Major Leaguer wants to put on the pinstripes. When I think back on the 2006 postseason and playing at Yankee Stadium, I remember thinking, ‘This is different. These are different fans. What a cool place this would be to play or coach here one day.’ To get the opportunity to come to the Bronx, wear the Yankees uniform and make a difference in the team’s success, it was so intriguing, and I can’t wait to get going.”

“I’ve had the great pleasure of knowing Sean for close to 30 years, and his passion for hitting is infectious,” said Yankees Manager Aaron Boone. “For anyone that’s ever come in contact with him, his ability to inspire is one of his greatest gifts, and I can’t wait for him to tap into our players and help them reach their potential. There’s no doubt in my mind that he will have a tremendous impact on our team.”

“Anyone who knows Sean knows he is a very well-respected former baseball player with a big personality full of positive energy,” said Yankees Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Cashman. “We feel his abilities to connect with people with his experience will serve him well in his new role as our head hitting coach.”

During his Major League career, Casey hit .302 (1,531-for-5,066) with 690R, 322 doubles, 12 triples, 130HR, 735RBI and 477BB in 1,405 games over 12 Major League seasons with Cleveland (1997), Cincinnati (1998-2005), Pittsburgh (2006), Detroit (2006-07) and Boston (2008). The three-time All-Star (1999, 2001, ’04) finished in the top-10 in National League batting average three times and hit at least .300 in six seasons. He also reached the 20-home run plateau three times (25HR in 1999, 20HR in 2000 and 24HR in 2004) and had five seasons with double-digit home runs.

He received the Ernie Lombardi Award in 2004 as the Reds' most valuable player after recording a .324 batting average and a career-high-tying 99 runs batted in. In June 2012, he was elected to the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.

After being acquired by Detroit at the trade deadline in 2006, he helped lead the Tigers to an American League pennant, hitting .432/.462/.730 (16-for-37) with 3R, 5 doubles, 2HR, 9RBI and 1BB in 10 postseason games with Detroit. In five World Series games, he batted .529/.556/1.000 (9-for-17) with 2R, 2 doubles, 2HR and 5RBI.

Casey was originally selected by Cleveland in the second round of the 1995 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Richmond. His foundation, Casey's Clubhouse, started the Miracle League of the South Hills (Penn.) to provide children with a place to play baseball no matter their physical challenges.