We miss the O'malleys

There once was time when working for the Dodgers, if you were a loyal employee you were treated with respect. Now it seems that it does not matter how long or how good you are at your job, you are only a statistic. The Dodgers announced today that they have let Stan Johnston go. Stan had been with the Dodgers organization for 23 years as a trainer, 6 of the last 7 as head trainer. He was demoted last year as Colletti brought in Stan Conte with whom he had worked with it the Giants. It pains me to think that we have 2 major parts of our organization with ties to that team. Anyway, if anyone has ever been around major/minor league trainers you would have the understanding what it takes to persevere in such a demanding and under appreciated job. These guys give their hearts and souls to the job. They do not make a ton of money and work tireless hours. They usually arrive 6 -7 hours before a game and leave 2-3 hours after. They are there for the players for everything, to heal, treat their injuries and their egos. I have only met Stan a couple of times in passing, but have gotten to know several people that know him and some ex-ballplayers that all raved about him.

I can only imagine that his popularity with the players probably got to Conte, because I cannot imagine he was let go because of incompetence. It is a choice that the Dodgers made last October in turning over the medical/training program to Conte. It was also with the strong blessings that Conte gave Schmidt and how familiar he was with his history and mechanics that the Dodgers made a great informed choice to sign a 34 year old, 47 million dollar, pitcher with a history of shoulder injuries. It has to make you wonder why the Giants, after all Schmidt did for them, did not try to resign him for the 3 years but rather give Zito 80 mil more. Maybe I am off base, but if it smells like s___ it probably is.  Conte was brought in to revamp the Dodgers conditioning program and if this year is any indication, he may want to rethink his program.

That is all the bashing of Conte that I will do, other than I hope he leaves his personal knowledge of anyones medical history to himself. This is really about Stan Johnston "Cowboy" as he is known amongst his ballplayer. To have 23 years of loyal service down the drain because of whatever reason they would like to spin is unfathomable. From what I understand each team has 3 trainers and only 2 can have service time accrue towards retirement. Stan from what I have been told just completed his 8th year, only 2 years from being fully vested. Why the big deal? At 10 years you get a pension of 10k per month. For a team just to kick you to the curb, unless you have done something illegal or immoral (did he take care of Bonds), really makes me want to consider who I root for. Yes I know it is a business, but there had to be way to make this work for everyone. Thats right if they knew how to communicate as an organization they probably would have headed off the explosion between the young and old players. I hope that Stan is able to hook up with another team to get his service time in, but this really s---ks!

I only feel that if Mr O'malley was still in charge this organiztion would not treat people like this. I am done ranting and really ahve a bad taste for Colletti, McCourt, Little, Conte and whoever else is making these decisions.

JONSIE