GaryMrMets
09-19-2005, 01:46 AM
Giants Mulling Future of Trainer
By JANIE McCAULEY
.c The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Trainer Stan Conte's future is one of many important decisions the San Francisco Giants face this offseason.
Conte's three-year deal expires Dec. 31 and he's hoping to stay with the club after one of the most challenging seasons for the Giants' medical staff. Slugger Barry Bonds missed eight months recovering from three operations on his right knee since Jan. 31, and getting him healthy has been stressful for the organization.
``For me, the first half of the season was totally engulfed with trying to get Bonds back,'' Conte said. ``It took a lot out of me physically and mentally.''
The seven-time NL MVP had a setback early in spring training when he pushed himself too hard to try to return in time for the exhibition schedule and his goal of playing opening day.
The 50-year-old Conte, the highest paid trainer in the National League who will conclude his 14th season with the club and sixth as head trainer, turned over Bonds' care to renowned Angels' orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles in late June as well as physical therapist Clive Brewster. Bonds stayed in Southern California for more than two months before rejoining the Giants on Sept. 5.
Conte, one of the highest profile trainers in pro sports because of the Bonds factor, is no longer commenting on Bonds' health or progress - leaving that to general manager Brian Sabean, the slugger himself or a team spokesman.
``He's really got a tough job. The whole year's been about crisis management,'' said Sabean, who has a long history with Conte in this organization.
Is Conte in the team's plans for next year?
``No question,'' Sabean said.
Getting help with Bonds' rehab allowed Conte more flexibility to focus on everybody on the team, including monitoring the rehabilitation of minor leaguers.
Most in Conte's position are on one-year contracts, so he said he's not asking for a multiyear deal. Conte is three years from being fully vested in Major League Baseball's pension plan.
``The Giants have been so generous to me and my family, so I'm not overly concerned about a multiyear deal or even a contract,'' Conte said. ``There's no doubt I want to come back here. If the Giants want me here, all they have to do is say they want me here.''
Conte has been instrumental in restructuring the organization's medical care for all levels. In the latest statistics, from 1997-2004, the Giants have the second lowest number of disabled list days among all teams.
Other clubs now call the Giants for advice and ideas for how to make their own systems more effective.
``I think we're one of the blueprints in more ways than one,'' Sabean said.
Conte joined the Giants in 1992 and wore several hats for eight years before being promoted to head trainer in 2000 - consultant, assistant trainer and coordinator of the strength and rehabilitation.
Aside from Bonds, Conte also dealt with getting closer Armando Benitez back. He missed more than three months following surgery to repair two hamstring tendons to the pelvis.
``This has been a tough year,'' Conte said. ``I definitely want to be back here. Everybody has goals they want to achieve in their career. Mine was to change the way medical care is done in Major League Baseball.''
In 1997, he played a key role in the redesign of San Francisco's strength and conditioning program.
Conte is one of few trainers to also hold a credential in physical therapy. He plans to spend the winter working toward his doctorate through Boston University. He is only eight courses short.
``I think those guys are just as important as the coaches,'' said Giants second baseman Ray Durham, who credits Conte for keeping him on the field this year despite nagging injuries. ``He's been very important for me, especially this year. He's kept me off the DL.''
09/16/05 20:34 EDT
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
By JANIE McCAULEY
.c The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Trainer Stan Conte's future is one of many important decisions the San Francisco Giants face this offseason.
Conte's three-year deal expires Dec. 31 and he's hoping to stay with the club after one of the most challenging seasons for the Giants' medical staff. Slugger Barry Bonds missed eight months recovering from three operations on his right knee since Jan. 31, and getting him healthy has been stressful for the organization.
``For me, the first half of the season was totally engulfed with trying to get Bonds back,'' Conte said. ``It took a lot out of me physically and mentally.''
The seven-time NL MVP had a setback early in spring training when he pushed himself too hard to try to return in time for the exhibition schedule and his goal of playing opening day.
The 50-year-old Conte, the highest paid trainer in the National League who will conclude his 14th season with the club and sixth as head trainer, turned over Bonds' care to renowned Angels' orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles in late June as well as physical therapist Clive Brewster. Bonds stayed in Southern California for more than two months before rejoining the Giants on Sept. 5.
Conte, one of the highest profile trainers in pro sports because of the Bonds factor, is no longer commenting on Bonds' health or progress - leaving that to general manager Brian Sabean, the slugger himself or a team spokesman.
``He's really got a tough job. The whole year's been about crisis management,'' said Sabean, who has a long history with Conte in this organization.
Is Conte in the team's plans for next year?
``No question,'' Sabean said.
Getting help with Bonds' rehab allowed Conte more flexibility to focus on everybody on the team, including monitoring the rehabilitation of minor leaguers.
Most in Conte's position are on one-year contracts, so he said he's not asking for a multiyear deal. Conte is three years from being fully vested in Major League Baseball's pension plan.
``The Giants have been so generous to me and my family, so I'm not overly concerned about a multiyear deal or even a contract,'' Conte said. ``There's no doubt I want to come back here. If the Giants want me here, all they have to do is say they want me here.''
Conte has been instrumental in restructuring the organization's medical care for all levels. In the latest statistics, from 1997-2004, the Giants have the second lowest number of disabled list days among all teams.
Other clubs now call the Giants for advice and ideas for how to make their own systems more effective.
``I think we're one of the blueprints in more ways than one,'' Sabean said.
Conte joined the Giants in 1992 and wore several hats for eight years before being promoted to head trainer in 2000 - consultant, assistant trainer and coordinator of the strength and rehabilitation.
Aside from Bonds, Conte also dealt with getting closer Armando Benitez back. He missed more than three months following surgery to repair two hamstring tendons to the pelvis.
``This has been a tough year,'' Conte said. ``I definitely want to be back here. Everybody has goals they want to achieve in their career. Mine was to change the way medical care is done in Major League Baseball.''
In 1997, he played a key role in the redesign of San Francisco's strength and conditioning program.
Conte is one of few trainers to also hold a credential in physical therapy. He plans to spend the winter working toward his doctorate through Boston University. He is only eight courses short.
``I think those guys are just as important as the coaches,'' said Giants second baseman Ray Durham, who credits Conte for keeping him on the field this year despite nagging injuries. ``He's been very important for me, especially this year. He's kept me off the DL.''
09/16/05 20:34 EDT
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.