With nearly all of the national and local media focused (ad nauseam) on the possible firing of Dodgers manager Don Mattingly and the opt-out clause of 2015 NL Cy Young hopeful Zack Greinke, today’s announcement that Dodgers Vice President of Medical Services and Head Athletic Trainer Stan Conte has resigned came as a bit of a surprise to everyone.

…but perhaps it shouldn’t have.

Although the 55-year-old Boston University graduate was extremely well qualified for his position with the Dodgers he is/was the only other non-Friedman/Zaidi appointee besides Mattingly – so there may be more to this story than meets the eye. But as to be expected, Conte took the high road when addressing his sudden departure to the media via a press release from the Dodgers.

“I want to thank the Dodger organization and specifically each and every one of the dedicated medical staff for their support these last nine seasons in Los Angeles,” said Conte. “My resignation will allow me to focus on my research in baseball injury analytics as I remain committed to determining the causes and effects of various baseball injuries.”

To that end, Conte is indeed deep into the research of baseball-related injuries, particularly elbow injuries that ultimately require Tommy John surgery. In fact, Conte even included selected members of the media to partake in a very comprehensive survey about the perceived causes (and misconceptions) of these injuries that seem to be increasing almost daily in professional baseball.

Conte joins Hanley Ramirez on the growing list of “formerly with the Dodgers.”
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Conte was named Director of Medical Services and Head Athletic Trainer in October 2006 after serving 15 seasons with the San Francisco Giants – including the last seven as their Head Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist. He was promoted to Senior Director of Medical Services in 2011 and then named Vice President of Medical Services prior to the 2013 season.

As for the Dodgers take on Conte’s resignation, they, too, took the company line.

“I want to thank Stan for his contributions to the Dodgers over the past nine years as well as all he has done for the entire community of sports medicine,” said Dodger President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman. “He was an integral member of the organization and we wish him well in his future endeavors.” 

Whether or not Conte’s sudden and unexpected departure has anything to do with Mattingly’s ultimate fate with the Dodgers remains to be seen. But should Friedman and Zaidi decide to let Mattingly go, it is clear that Conte got out while the getting was good – even if it wasn’t of his own accord.

Regardless, we also wish the best to Conte in his future endeavors.