Causey was a hard-playing, steady infielder who kept losing jobs to hotshot rookies.
He was supposed to have been one himself. Signed for a $50,000 bonus in 1955, contemporary
rules regarding "bonus babies" required his presence on the Baltimore roster until
June 1957. After three years in the minors, he was traded to Kansas City in 1961
but lost his shot at shortstop to rookie Dick Howser. In mid-season he won the third
base position, but injured his shoulder early in 1962. When he was ready to play
again, Ed Charles had taken over at third base.
Causey's best years came in 1963-64,
when he was finally the A's starting shortstop and led the team in hitting with .280
and .281 marks. But in spring 1965, by then the team captain, he dislocated his shoulder,
opening the position for young Bert Campaneris. Causey was shipped to Chicago in
May 1966, where he mostly played second base.
(JCA)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»May 15, 1957:
At Baltimore, the Indians rap Mike Fornieles for five hits and three runs in the 16th to defeat the Orioles, 11–8. The Tribe had scored three in the 8th after an error by Billy Gardner and three more in the 14th after an error by Wayne Causey. Gardner steals home in the 14th for one Bird run and the 3rd run scores on Russ Nixon's wild throw.
»January 24, 1961: The A's trade outfielders Whitey Herzog and Russ Snyder to the Orioles for IF Wayne Causey, P Jim Archer, OF Bob Boyd, and OF Al Pilarcik. Boyd, with the Orioles since 1956, leaves with a .301 average with the Birds, a team career mark that won't be topped this century.
»August 19, 1962: Gino Cimoli, Wayne Causey, and Billy Bryan of the Athletics hit consecutive home runs in the 7th inning, but Elston Howard has two home runs and eight RBIs; Bill Skowron, a home run and four RBIs; Mickey Mantle, a grand slam and seven RBIs, and Skowron four RBIs as the Yankees rout the A's, 21–7. Mantle adds two stolen bases before Jack Reed takes over CF and has two at bats.
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