Pablo Sandoval is not your typical athlete. He is 5-11, overweight, and not very fast. However, Pablo is now a 26 year old, 2 time World Series Champion, and a World Series MVP. Although Pablo is currently in the brightest spotlight of his young career, but it has not always been that way. Sandoval’s baseball career in the US did not start like most all-stars. He was not drafted as a young athlete and took six years to make it to the major leagues as a catcher. During his first season in the big leagues he earned the nickname Kung-Fu Panda after performing and in-game acrobatic while running the bases.
Although Sandoval went through years of position changes, criticism for swinging too freely, and bad press for his weight he always stuck around with the Giants because of his incredible ability to hit. Fast forward a few years and Sandoval is now on top of the world. He just earned his second world series ring and first MVP award. Sandoval hit .364 this postseason and an incredible .500 in the final 4 games against Detroit. Add 6 home runs and 13 rbi’s and you get your MVP. Not only did Sandoval do all that but he also became the the first player to hit three home runs in their first 3 plate appearances of the series. So now that this Panda is the king of the jungle what is next? Well, Panda is only 26 years old and is on a young and talented Giants baseball team that could easily add a few rings to the sluggers hands in the next few years.
If we know anything about Panda, his next few months will include more than a few cheat meals and plenty of time in the batting cages. Sandoval has been open with reporters when expressing his belief that his weight is not holding back in anyway on the field. Sandoval’s off-season training is focused completely around his hitting, the skill which made him an MVP and a millionaire.
If you are a young ball player you can certainly learn a thing or two from the Panda, makes sure you have the right baseball equipment from MonkeySports, get in the batting cage, and hit everyday. Although the best players are known for their all around ability as a player, Pablo will certainly tell you he doesn’t regret working extra on his hitting and less on his conditioning.
