Memory Lane Monday: Casey Fossum

In the first post of our new column entitled "Memory Lane Monday", I will focus on a former Sox pitcher whose curveball was slower than the speed limit on a highway (that would be 65 mph). That pitcher would be Casey Fossum. Fossum played for the Red Sox from 2001-03, compiling 14 wins, two saves, and 190 strikeouts.

Fossum was best known for his lanky structure and his curveball (aka "The Fossum Flip"). Fossum weighed in at a whopping 160 lbs. Add that onto his violent throwing style and you have an injury proned pitcher. Fossum dealt with back injuries throughout his career. The Fossum Flip was almost like an eephus pitch, clocking in at a whopping 65 mph. The hangtime of the pitch was almost equal to the hangtime of a punt by Zoltan Mesko.

During his three years in Boston, Fossum moved back and forth between the bullpen and starting rotation. His best year with the Sox came in 2002, when he won five games and posted a 3.46 ERA. Fossum underwent shoulder surgery in September 2003 after a bout with tendinitis.

Two months laters, he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a trade that changed the course of team forever. If you don't remember who the Red Sox picked up in that trade, then you should not consider yourself a Red Sox fan. A well-known pitcher by the name of Curt Schilling joined Boston in that trade and led the team to their first World Series title in 86 years.

Fossum currently pitches in the New York Mets organization.