Sandoval undergwent "Operation Panda" in order to keep hitting like this.Pablo Sandoval's posture is giving him away. He sits in the trainer's office at AT&T Park, leaning back as far as possible in a tilting desk chair, his hands laced behind his head, eyes fixed on the ceiling, "Operation Panda" T-shirt almost but not quite covering his stomach.
It is lunchtime, late in the second week of Operation Panda, a 22-day November fitness and nutrition program the Giants organized to educate the chubby and marvelously talented Sandoval -- Kung Fu Panda to Bay Area fans -- on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
Giants strength and conditioning coach Ben Potenziano leans in toward Sandoval, nearly pleading. "You have to lift," Potenziano says. "You want to eat and then lift, or lift and then eat?" Sandoval doesn't answer. It's clear he wants to eat. The lifting is another matter. He has just finished 90 minutes of cardio work and another half hour in the batting cage.
Exasperated, Sandoval groans his choice. "Lift, then eat," he says. Potenziano smiles. "That's what I would prefer." Sandoval flops forward and stares at Potenziano. "I hate you," he says. "I know, I know," the coach responds. "Hate me now. Love me later."
Potenziano laughs. Sandoval sighs. The 23-year-old third baseman, who hit .330 with 25 homers and 90 RBIs in his first full season, is a willing participant in this camp. The fear, of course, is that Sandoval -- listed at 5'11'' and 246 pounds but apparently heavier, judging by the staff's silence when asked -- will eat his way out of the game before he realizes his potential. The hope is that visions of greatness and a monster contract will guide him down the right path. Gone are juices, sugary energy drinks and 64-ounce sodas. Gone are fast-food burgers and fatty foods eaten late at night. In their place are green tea, tall glasses of water, grilled chicken and fish, fresh fruit and vegetables. And exercise -- plenty of exercise.
"This has been tough for me," says Sandoval, who ultimately lost 15 pounds at camp. "But I know it will pay off. I want to be one of those guys like Albert Pujols -- someone who wins an MVP in the big leagues."
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks