My guest today is Casey Stern. Casey was a former contestant on ESPN’s reality series Dream Job. Casey, thanks for answering some questions.
Please tell us more about yourself.
I wanted to be a broadcaster from the time I was about six or seven, once I realized I probably wasn’t going to be tall enough to actually play any sports professionally. I grew up in Long Island as a die hard sports nut and often times attention seeker, before eventually going to Boston University and spending plenty of time at Fenway Park. After college I went out to L.A. for a couple of years before eventually coming back to the N.Y. area in 2003. I have since spent time at MLB.com, MSG Network, and Sirius XM while contributing for SNY, CN8, Versus, the NBC Sports Network and others on the baseball end of things. With each step, I’ve tried to make it a point to learn something to take with me to the next chapter in my career and life, and I still am aspiring daily. Off air, I’m a sports and video game fanatic, who loves my wife and my dog…and Bruce Springsteen.
Growing up who were your favorite players?
Growing up I had many favorite players so it is hard to narrow down. On the basketball side my favorite was always Magic Johnson overall, but as a Knicks fan I was a huge John Starks guy and who didn’t love Patrick Ewing? In hockey Pat LaFontaine was my guy, but pretty much anyone on the Islanders…and I always loved Steve Yzerman and Ray Bourque. In football Lawrence Taylor is definitely high up on that list. I was also a huge fan of Dave Meggett (before all the off the field issues) because I loved that a guy that size could be that tough, make that big of an impact. In baseball, Lenny Dykstra, Keith Hernandez and Dwight Gooden and so many other 80’s Mets fit that bill. I then jumped right on the Mike Piazza bandwagon and rode the wave.
Who are some prospects we should watch in 2013?
I think the first thing we do is watch Bryce Harper and Mike Trout in year two and see what kind of a sophomore season they can put together. It will be really difficult to duplicate last year’s numbers. Especially on Trout’s side, but I think the sky is the limit for both of these kids.
I am looking forward personally to seeing Jurickson Profar of the Rangers. I think he’ll get some significant playing time, even if right now it seems there won’t be an open spot for him. He’ll force one open. I remember watching this guy in the Little League World Series and have followed him closely – immense talent.
I really want to see what Wil Myers can do. So many have thought of him as a “game changer” for so long, that to see the Royals move him surprised many, including me. Once the Rays call him up (Most likely in June) I am really excited to see his raw power put into big league play. There are a TON of others to watch!
What was it like being a contestant on the Dream Job? And how has that opened doors for you?
It was a tremendous experience I will never forget. Without it I wouldn’t be here. No matter how a door opens for you in life, when it comes to your dreams – make sure to bust that thing wide open. I didn’t win. I wasn’t proud of not winning to be honest. What I got though…this career I now continue to build…is better than anything winning that show could have given me.
You have spent some time hosting various baseball shows. Do you have a favorite interview?
Wow, tough question. Very tough. There are many that come to mind and they’re all different. I got to wrestle with Stone Cold Steve Austin in studio doing a baseball show, and throw darts with Pat Sajak, so not every one that I think of is actually baseball related!
That said, there are many. I enjoyed chatting with Robinson Cano’s father after the HR Derby and watching him cry talking about his son. I remember Sergio Romo balling his eyes out on the air in the clubhouse with me after winning the 2010 World Series and then twenty minutes later doing an interview with Brian Wilson in center field, where to do so, I had to run him down and then run with him while interviewing him.
I remember many controversial interviews including the first at length conversation Joe Torre had about the NYPD “Hat-Gate” the day after it happened. Yelling at Hall of Fame voters like Barry Stanton, who I told on air that I wanted to revoke his vote, or even recently Roger Clemens about what the heck he was doing trying to pitch again. So, there are many. My favorite times overall were definitely covering the Sox reversing the curse in 2004 – the best sports moment I could ever cover…and covering my favorite team growing up, the Mets, when they won the division/went to the NLCS in 2006.
Name five cd’s you can’t live without.
Nobody uses CD’s anymore! I haven’t used one in at least 5 years. Instead I’ll give you my top 5 Bruce tunes: 1-Thunder Road 2-Jungleland 3-Born To Run 4-The River 5-Backstreets
Thanks for taking time Casey. Good luck.
Anytime. Be sure to listen to MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM 2-6pm Monday-Friday, and Saturday from 10a-1p. Stay well everyone.