The Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday made history with the hiring of Sue Falsone as Head Athletic Trainer, the first time in baseball history a female has held that position. Falsone served as physical therapist for the Dodgers from 2008-2010 and was a consultant to the team last season.
"It is a true honor to be given this opportunity with such a progressive and historic organization," said Falsone. "My work with the Dodgers over the past few years as well as my time with AP will serve me well in taking this next step. I look forward to helping develop innovative and creative programs to reduce injuries and keep our players on the field so that they can achieve their potential."
Stan Conte had been the head athletic trainer for the last five seasons and will continue to lead the team's medical program as Senior Director of Medical Services. Conte jointly served the roles of head of medical services, head athletic trainer, and physical therapist in 2011. Conte will no longer be in the dugout during games, nor will he travel with the team.
"Sue’s credentials, previous sports medicine and strength and conditioning experience as well as her involvement with the Dodgers over the past four years make her uniquely qualified to lead the club’s Medical Department into a new and exciting direction," said Conte. "She brings a fresh perspective to injury prevention and management that I strongly believe will reduce lost time due to injuries for the Dodgers."
Assistant athletic trainer Todd Tomczyk left the Dodgers in mid-October to take the job of head trainer with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Following Tomczyk to Pittsburgh are Dodgers strength and conditioning coach Brendon Huttman and physical therapist Jeremiah Randall, according to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.
The remainder of the Dodgers 2012 training staff will be Assistant Athletic Trainer Nancy Patterson, Assistant Athletic Trainer Greg Harrel, Strength and Conditioning Coach Stephen Downey and Massage Therapist Ichiro Tani.
Falsone is also a vice president of performance physical therapy and team sports at Athletes Performance Institute. She earned a masters degree in human movement science with a concentration in sports medicine from the University of North Carolina.
For a Dodgers fan perspective on the Sue Falsone hire, be sure to read True Blue LA.