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Casey Close
Casey Close
Casey Close
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Casey Richard Close (born October 21, 1963) is an American former baseball player and sports agent.[1]

Key Information

University of Michigan

[edit]

Close was born in Columbus, Ohio and graduated from Worthington High School before attending the University of Michigan on a baseball scholarship. He played for the Michigan Wolverines baseball team from 1983 to 1986. As a freshman, he hit a grand slam to help Michigan defeat Stanford and advance to the final four in the College World Series.[2][3]

In 1984 and 1985, Close played collegiate summer baseball for the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL). In 1984, he hit .329 with six home runs while posting a 2–0 record and a 3.19 ERA on the mound. Close was inducted into the CCBL Hall of Fame in 2010.[4]

As a senior in 1986, Close won the batting triple crown in the Big Ten Conference with a .469 batting average, seven home runs and 19 RBIs.[5] In 1986, he was also selected as Michigan's team captain, the Big Ten Conference Player of the Year, the Baseball America National Player of the Year, a first-team All-American, and he was awarded a Big Ten Medal of Honor for demonstrating joint athletic and academic excellence throughout his college career.[6] Close holds the University of Michigan career records for home runs (46) and runs scored (190), and his .869 slugging percentage in 1986 is a single-season record among Michigan baseball players. Close also ranks among Michigan's all-time leaders in several other statistical categories, including games played (second all-time with 229 games played), runs batted in (third all-time with 185 RBIs) and career batting average (fourth all-time at .373).[7] Barry Larkin, who played with Close at Michigan, recalled: "He had power, but didn't have a lot of speed, and that's about all he didn't have. He had a great arm, power and a nice bat."[6]

In January 2011, Close was named as one of the 2011 inductees into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor.[7]

Professional baseball

[edit]

Close was drafted by the New York Yankees in the seventh round of the 1986 MLB draft. He played minor league baseball for the Oneonta Yankees (1986), Albany-Colonie Yankees (1987–1988), Columbus Clippers (1988) and Calgary Cannons (1989–1990).[8] He had his best season in professional baseball in 1989 when he appeared in 95 games for Calgary (the Seattle Mariners' AAA club), batting .330 with a .503 slugging percentage, 38 extra base hits and 56 RBIs.[8]

Sports agent

[edit]

In 1992, Close became associated with IMG as part of its baseball division.[9] In 1993, he began representing Derek Jeter and was Jeter's agent throughout his Major League career. In 2006, Close left IMG and joined Creative Artists Agency (CAA). In January 2007, after winning the 2006 National League MVP award, Ryan Howard hired Close as his agent.[10] Other baseball players who currently are or had been represented by Close include Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Derrek Lee, Ben Sheets, Michael Cuddyer, Josh Hamilton, Eric Milton, Kenny Lofton and Richie Sexson.[6][9] Some of the larger deals negotiated by Close for his clients include: a five-year, $125 million contract extension for Ryan Howard in 2010;[11] a 10-year, $189 million deal for Jeter in 2000 (at the time the second richest contract in baseball history);[9][12] a three-year $51 million deal for Jeter in December 2010;[13] a five-year $65 million deal for Derrek Lee in 2006;[14] a one-year $10 million contract (with $2 million in performance bonuses) for Ben Sheets in 2010;[15] and a six-year $17 million deal for Drew Henson in 2000.[9]

In February 2011, Close announced he was leaving CAA.[16] In April 2011, it was announced he would be starting and heading the baseball division of Excel Sports Management.[17] In 2012, Close negotiated the largest contract for a pitcher at the time for Zack Greinke, worth $147 million over six years for the Los Angeles Dodgers.[18] In December 2013, it was announced Close would represent Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka.[19]

In March 2022, Close negotiated a $162 million contract for first baseman Freddie Freeman with the Los Angeles Dodgers.[20] In July 2022, Close filed a libel lawsuit against Fox Sports radio host Doug Gottlieb, who had claimed that Close did not present an offer from the Atlanta Braves to Freeman.[21]

Family

[edit]

Close is married to Gretchen Carlson, who was selected as Miss America in 1989 and was the anchor of The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson, on the Fox News Channel.[6] Close and Carlson live in Greenwich, Connecticut with their two children.[22][23]

Close is a Presbyterian and teaches Sunday school with his wife.[24]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Casey Close

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Casey Close (born October 21, 1963) is an American former college and professional baseball outfielder who transitioned into a highly successful sports agent, specializing in Major League Baseball representation through Excel Sports Management. At the University of Michigan, Close was a four-year letterwinner for the Wolverines from 1983 to 1986, earning first-team All-American honors and the Baseball America National Player of the Year award in his senior season. He batted .440 with 19 home runs and 72 RBIs that year, capturing the Big Ten triple crown while helping lead Michigan to multiple conference titles and setting school records for career home runs (46) and runs scored (190). Close was inducted into the University of Michigan Hall of Honor in 2011 for his contributions to Wolverine athletics. Selected by the New York Yankees in the seventh round of the 1986 MLB Draft, Close played four and a half seasons in the minor leagues, reaching Triple-A with the Calgary Cannons in 1989 and 1990, where he posted a .330 batting average in 1989. After retiring from playing, he joined IMG in 1992 as an agent, later moving to Creative Artists Agency before co-founding Excel Sports Management, where he has built a roster of elite clients. As an agent, Close has negotiated landmark contracts totaling billions of dollars, including Derek Jeter's 10-year, $189 million extension in 2001 and Clayton Kershaw's seven-year, $215 million deal in 2014, while representing other stars like Zack Greinke, Ryan Howard, and Kyle Schwarber. In the 2013-2014 offseason alone, his agency secured over $700 million in player contracts, establishing Close as one of the most influential figures in baseball representation.

Early Life and Education

Early Life

Casey Close was born on October 21, 1963, in Columbus, Ohio. He grew up in the suburban areas surrounding Columbus, graduating from Worthington High School, developing roots in the region that would later influence his path in baseball. Details about Close's family background remain limited in public records, with no widely available information on his parents or siblings beyond their general ties to Ohio. From an early age, Close showed a strong interest in baseball, which became a pivotal factor in his recruitment for college athletics. This passion led him to attend the University of Michigan on a baseball scholarship.

University of Michigan

Casey Close enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1983, drawn by the institution's strong combination of athletic and academic opportunities despite hailing from Columbus, Ohio, where local options like Ohio State were available. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1986 while maintaining a rigorous balance between his studies and baseball commitments. As a four-year letterwinner from 1983 to 1986, Close quickly established himself as a standout outfielder on the Wolverines baseball team. During his freshman year, Close delivered a pivotal grand slam in the ninth inning against Stanford in the 1983 College World Series, securing an elimination-round victory that propelled Michigan to a top-four finish. As a senior and team captain in 1986, he led the Big Ten Conference in batting average, home runs, and RBI—achieving the triple crown—while posting a .440 average, 19 home runs, and 72 RBI overall. These performances earned him the Baseball America National Player of the Year award, highlighting his leadership during Michigan's four straight Big Ten regular season titles and three Big Ten tournament titles from 1983 to 1986. Close's collegiate impact is reflected in his enduring program records, including 46 career home runs and 190 runs scored, which underscored his power and consistency as a hitter. In recognition of his contributions, he was inducted into the University of Michigan Hall of Honor in 2011 and the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2023.

Professional Baseball Career

Draft and Minor Leagues

Close was selected by the New York Yankees in the seventh round of the out of the , where his had showcased his potential as an . He had previously been drafted by the Indians in the 20th round of the draft from but did not . Following the draft, Close began his professional career with the Oneonta Yankees of the short-season Class A New York-Penn League in 1986, where he hit .245 with three home runs in 67 games. He progressed to the Class AA Albany-Colonie Yankees of the Eastern League in 1987, posting a .279 batting average with seven home runs over the full season, marking an improvement in his offensive output. In 1988, Close split time between Albany-Colonie, where he continued at the AA level early in the year, and the Class AAA Columbus Clippers of the International League, representing his first exposure to the highest minor league tier. The following two seasons saw him with the Calgary Cannons, the Seattle Mariners' AAA affiliate in the Pacific Coast League, after requesting and receiving a release from the Yankees organization and signing with the Seattle Mariners; he batted .330 with a .904 OPS in 1989 but saw his average dip to .270 in 1990 amid 12 home runs. Despite reaching AAA and showing flashes of , particularly during his AA years and the strong 1989 campaign, Close never received league call-up, facing the typical challenges of limited opportunities and performance plateaus in a competitive . He retired after the 1990 season, concluding a five-year minor league tenure without advancing to the majors.

Career Statistics and Highlights

Casey Close, standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 186 pounds, was a right-handed batter and thrower who primarily played as an outfielder during his professional career. Over five seasons in the minor leagues from 1986 to 1990, he appeared in 523 games, accumulating 1,806 at-bats with 477 hits, 33 home runs, 255 RBIs, and 34 stolen bases, while posting a career batting average of .264, on-base percentage of .322, and slugging percentage of .399. These totals reflect his progression through the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners farm systems, where he demonstrated consistent contact skills but limited power production. Close's standout came in with the AAA of the , where he batted .330 with 107 , 7 runs, and 56 RBIs in 324 at-bats, earning league-leading in several categories and showcasing his potential as a top-of-the-order hitter. Defensively, he excelled in the outfield across 481 , with fielding percentages and totals that highlighted his range and reliability in and right field. Although he received no formal minor selections or awards during this period, his 1989 performance represented a career peak before transitioning out of playing.
YearTeamLeagueLevelGABHHRRBISBAVGOBPSLG
OneontaNYPLA-67233573384.245.320.382
Albany-ColonieELAA12745912876210.279.318.379
1988Columbus/Albany-ColonieIL/ELAAA/AA106327604302.183.246.281
PCLAAA953241077563.330.401.503
PCLAAA128463125126915.270.326.430
Note: 1988 split between Columbus (81 G, .188 AVG) and Albany-Colonie (25 G, .169 AVG). All statistics sourced from Baseball-Reference.com.

Sports Agent Career

Beginnings and Early Roles

After retiring from professional baseball in 1990 following two seasons at Triple-A with the Calgary Cannons, Casey Close transitioned into sports agency work. Having spent five years in the minors without reaching the majors, Close drew on his playing experience to understand player perspectives, beginning his agency career in 1992 with the International Management Group (IMG) in its Cleveland office. At IMG, Close focused on baseball representation, where he built his reputation through proactive scouting of prospects and strategic contract negotiations. His early efforts emphasized identifying and developing young talents in the minor leagues, leveraging his own background to advise on career progression and endorsements. Close's first major client was Derek Jeter, whom he signed in 1993 while Jeter was playing shortstop for the Yankees' Class A affiliate in Greensboro, North Carolina, shortly after Jeter's June 1992 draft as the sixth overall pick. Replacing Jeter's previous advisor, Close handled initial salary negotiations, securing a one-year deal worth $550,000 ahead of the 1997 season after an impasse with the Yankees' initial offer, marking an early success in advocating for emerging stars. This relationship laid the foundation for Close's approach to long-term player development. Among his other early clients were , signed shortly after the outfielder's 1993 draft by the San Diego Padres, as well as pitchers and , both of whom Close represented from their late-1990s drafts onward. These representations highlighted Close's emphasis on nurturing high-potential minor leaguers into major league contributors through tailored guidance and negotiations.

Major Agency Transitions and Clients

In 2006, Casey Close left International Management Group (IMG), where he had been a prominent baseball agent, to join Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and co-found its baseball division alongside agent Paul Condon. This transition positioned Close as the head of CAA's baseball operations, allowing him to expand his influence in negotiating high-profile player contracts. A key early success at CAA came in 2007, when Close signed Philadelphia Phillies as a client shortly after Howard's 2006 National League Most Valuable Player Award win. Close subsequently negotiated major extensions for Howard, including a five-year, $125 million deal in 2010 that secured the slugger through the 2016 season with club options extending to 2017. Close's tenure at CAA solidified his reputation through representation of marquee clients, building on his longstanding relationship with New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter that began earlier in his career. Notable deals included Jeter's 10-year, $189 million contract in 2001, then the second-largest in MLB history, and subsequent negotiations like the three-year, $51 million extension in 2010. Other prominent clients under Close's guidance included Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke—for whom he secured a then-record six-year, $147 million free-agent contract in 2012—and Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. These representations contributed to Close negotiating contracts collectively valued in the billions over his career, with his active client roster alone exceeding $1.1 billion as of July 2025. Close's impact was further highlighted in high-stakes free agency, such as his of outfielder Hamilton's five-year, $125 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels in December 2012, following Hamilton's MVP season. His work earned consistent recognition, including annual placements on ' list of the most powerful sports agents, where he ranked No. 9 in 2025 with estimated maximum commissions surpassing $32 million. In 2011, Close departed CAA upon the expiration of his five-year contract to become a partner at Excel Sports Management, bringing key clients like Jeter and Howard while sharing certain representation duties with CAA per agreement. This move marked a significant agency transition amid competitive poaching in the industry. Excel's baseball division, under Close's leadership, achieved record feats, including $700 million in contracts during the 2013-2014 offseason—the largest single-offseason total in MLB history. Close's time at Excel has involved ongoing industry disputes over agent and non-compete clauses, culminating in a May ruling between Excel and WME . The decision, from WME's 2021-2023 of Excel agents Jim Murray and Michael Stival with offers totaling $25 million, found they had breached contracts following an initial 2024 ruling on the violation; it imposed multimillion-dollar fines on WME, including $4 million in plus additional compensatory damages and returned commissions, reinforcing enforceability of non-competes in the sector and impacting broader agency dynamics.

Current Role and Achievements

As of 2025, Casey Close serves as a co-leader of Excel Sports Management and heads its baseball division, operating from the agency's New York office at 1700 Broadway. He represents 38 MLB clients with a combined $1.1 billion in active contracts as of July 2025, including prominent players such as Clayton Kershaw (through his retirement at the end of the 2025 season), Cal Raleigh, Kyle Tucker, Kyle Schwarber, and George Springer. Close's portfolio builds on his legacy of representing high-profile athletes like Derek Jeter, establishing him as a key figure in baseball representation. In the 2025 MLB offseason, Close has been actively involved in negotiations for clients like Tucker and Schwarber, who are generating significant trade and free-agency buzz due to their elite skills and market value. Earlier, in 2024, he secured the representation of Japanese star , facilitating the slugger's entry into MLB through the posting process that began in November 2025. These efforts underscore Close's focus on securing lucrative deals and expanding international talent pipelines for Excel. Close's industry standing was affirmed by his #9 ranking on ' 2025 list of the most powerful sports agents, one of only two from Excel alongside co-leader . He has also contributed to resolving high-profile disputes, including the 2025 arbitration against WME, after which the MLBPA banned Murray for four years in October 2025 for sharing confidential union information with MLB officials during related negotiations, further highlighting Close's role in developing and retaining talent within the firm amid industry tensions over agent mobility.

Personal Life

Marriage

Casey Close met on a in 1995, arranged through mutual connections in sports and media circles. The couple married on October 4, 1997, in a private ceremony that reflected their shared commitment to family and professional pursuits. Carlson, a former Miss America 1989 and accomplished violinist who performed with the Minnesota Orchestra as a teenager, built a prominent career in broadcast journalism after graduating from Stanford University in 1990. She joined Fox News in 1999, co-hosting programs such as The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson until 2016. In July 2016, Carlson filed a high-profile sexual harassment lawsuit against Fox News chairman Roger Ailes, leading to a $20 million settlement later that year; Close supported her by connecting her with his lawyer, who helped assemble her legal team. Post-marriage, Close and Carlson have balanced their high-profile careers—his in sports agency and hers in media—while prioritizing , with Close's stability aiding them through Carlson's challenges in the industry. The couple resides in the New York area, specifically , where they have maintained a since the early .

Children

Casey Close and his , , have two children: a named Kaia Close, born in 2003, and a son named Christian Close, born in 2005. The family has emphasized maintaining the children's privacy, raising them in the affluent New York suburbs of , with a strong focus on and a low public profile away from their parents' high-profile careers. Public mentions of the children are rare and typically occur in the context of Carlson's media interviews or , where she has noted their emotional support during key moments in her advocacy work against , such as the 2016 lawsuit against . Neither child has pursued involvement in sports agency or broadcast media, reflecting the family's commitment to shielding them from public scrutiny. As of 2025, Kaia and Christian are young adults in their early twenties, pursuing independent paths with limited public details available to respect their privacy; their parents' professional stability has contributed to a supportive family environment fostering personal growth.

References

  1. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Casey_Close
  2. https://www.forbes.com/profile/casey-close/
  3. https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/where-are-they-now-casey-close/
  4. https://mgoblue.com/honors/university-of-michigan-hall-of-honor/casey-close/196
  5. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014/03/17/casey-close-excel-sports-management-negotiated-700-million-in-baseball-contracts-this-winter/6547277/
  6. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=close-001cas
  7. https://www.annarbor.com/sports/former-michigan-baseball-star-casey-close-remains-true-to-himself-makes-a-name-for-himself-as-an-age/
  8. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/75026/
  9. https://www.michigandaily.com/uncategorized/casey-close-speaks-about-25th-anniversary-historic-season/
  10. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2016/10/31/Colleges/Michigan-Big-M-list/
  11. https://mgoblue.com/news/2022/12/21/close-selected-for-induction-into-college-baseball-hall-of-fame
  12. https://www.cbhalloffame.org/inductees
  13. https://www.greatest21days.com/2011/09/casey-close-positive-emphasis-446.html
  14. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2011/04/11/Labor-and-Agents/Casey-Close/
  15. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/25/sports/baseball/25jeter.html
  16. https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/sports/1997/03/07/jeter-waits-on-yankees-in/50626382007/
  17. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3431948/2022/07/18/doug-gottlieb-freddie-freeman-tweet-lawsuit/
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  19. https://variety.com/2006/scene/news/caa-super-size-me-1200341703/
  20. https://africa.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2785837
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  22. https://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/6417/new-deal-for-jeter-was-never-a-sure-thing
  23. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonbelzer/2020/12/22/the-worlds-most-valuable-sports-agencies-2020-caa-on-top-as-wasserman-closes-the-gap/
  24. https://www.businessinsider.com/josh-hamilton-contract-los-angeles-angels-2015-4
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  27. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6373719/2025/05/22/wme-excel-agent-poaching-contracts-ruling/
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  30. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46845680/mlb-offseason-buzz-2025-26-trades-free-agency-tucket-schwarber-skubal
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  32. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6761313/2025/10/30/mlbpa-bans-agent-jim-murray-double-dealing/
  33. https://observer.com/2004/01/meg-cashes-in/
  34. https://www.thelist.com/726258/the-truth-about-gretchen-carlsons-husband-casey-close/
  35. https://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/06/fox-settles-with-gretchen-carlson-for-20m-and-is-expected-to-offer-apology-report.html
  36. https://www.politico.com/blogs/on-media/2016/07/gretchen-carlsons-old-fashioned-career-path-225240
  37. https://www.congress.gov/116/meeting/house/109484/witnesses/HHRG-116-JU05-Bio-CarlsonG-20190516.pdf
  38. https://www.tvinsider.com/people/gretchen-carlson/
  39. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/07/business/media/gretchen-carlson-fox-news-roger-ailes-sexual-harassment-lawsuit.html
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  41. https://greenwichfreepress.com/around-town/gretchen-carlson-pens-getting-real-launches-national-book-tour-in-greenwich-39062/
  42. https://time.com/4540095/gretchen-carlsons-next-fight/
  43. https://www.facebook.com/GretchenCarlson/photos/happy-14th-birthday-to-my-daughter-kaia-who-i-am-so-proud-of-kaia-means-wise-wom/10155065938600973/
  44. https://www.instagram.com/p/Co-DOvhOoUR/
  45. https://www.greenwichfreepress.com/around-town/gretchen-carlson-pens-getting-real-launches-national-book-tour-in-greenwich-39062/
  46. https://people.com/tv/gretchen-carlson-kids-courageous-after-sexual-harassment-scandal/
  47. https://www.startribune.com/gretchen-carlson-s-one-minute-bio/308435731
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