FanPost

Unbelievable. Swartz is back as trainer.

KANSAS CITY, MO (AP) March 31, 2010 - The Kansas City Royals announced today Nick Swartz will be coming out of retirement to rejoin the team as the club's Head Athletic Trainer. The move came just hours after the front office announced the dismissal of trainer Nick Kenney, who took over the job in October 2009.

"We have hired one of the most highly respected trainers in the game," Royals General Manager Dayton Moore said. "Nick brings a high level of energy, enthusiasm and expertise to the Royals organization. I'm extremely confident that he will lead and direct our medical programs in a very progressive and dynamic manner."

The move marks Swartz' second stint with the organization, having previously served in the same role for 21 years in Kansas City, before announcing his retirement in September of 2009. A graduate of Eastern Illinois University, Swartz has also been honored by the American Sports Medicine Institute with the 2006 Career Service Award and a 20-year Major League Athletic Trainer Service Award from the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainer Society in 2008.

"It feels great to be back, and I'm looking forward to the challenge in front of me," said Swartz. "We've got a few players dinged up, but hopefully nothing too serious."

Injuries to several key players, including former number one draft pick Alex Gordon, were cited as the reason for the change in the training staff.



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