Herm Schneider, Brian Ball and Brett Walker of the Chicago White Sox have been named the 2018 Major League Baseball Athletic Training Staff of the Year by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS).u5:p
Schneider, 66, completed his 40th season as the White Sox head athletic trainer in 2018, and he will move into a new role with the club in 2019 as head athletic trainer emeritus. Ball, 46, has spent the last 18 seasons (2001-18) as the Sox assistant athletic trainer, while Walker, 38, has been the club's major-league physical therapist for the last four seasons (2015-18).u5:p
"It's very gratifying and a tremendous honor that our staff has been recognized by our peers for providing outstanding quality treatment to Chicago White Sox players," said Schneider. "Our entire athletic training and medical staffs take a great deal of pride in giving the best possible care for everyone who wears a White Sox uniform."u5:p
"Herm, Brian and Brett are incredibly deserving of the 2018 PBATS Major League Athletic Training Staff of the Year award. To win an award voted on by your peers means a lot to any professional, and we couldn't be happier for the White Sox staff," said PBATS President Mark O'Neal. "These three men have worked tirelessly for the White Sox organization and for the players in their care, while showing amazing character as ambassadors for athletic training in Major League Baseball. The entire PBATS family congratulates Herm, Brian and Brett on this huge honor."u5:p
Under the direction of Schneider, Ball, Walker and Director of Conditioning Allen Thomas, the White Sox have featured the healthiest team in baseball over the past 17 seasons in terms of fewest players on the disabled list and total days missed due to injury.u5:p
From 2002-18, the Sox have used the disabled list just 185 times for a total of 9,057 days missed, both the lowest totals in the major leagues. During that 17-year span, the White Sox have led the American League in fewest player days missed eight times, ranked second four times and third once.u5:p
This marks the second time that PBATS has honored the White Sox, who also received the award in 1986. In addition, Schneider and his staff received the 2006 Dick Martin Award for Medical Staff of the Year by Baseball Prospectus.u5:p