Gene Monahan

For the American artist, see Gene Ritchie Monahan.
Gene Monahan
An emotional Monahan receiving his 2009 World Series ring on April 13, 2010
Trainer
Born: (1945-10-24) October 24, 1945 (age 79)

Eugene Monahan[1] (born October 24, 1945[2]) is the former head athletic trainer for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. He spent 38 years with the Yankees organization and from 1973 until 2011[3] and was part of their training staff. During his tenure Monahan cared for the players on seven World Series teams, 11 pennant winning teams and 19 postseason teams.

Since 2011, he has served as a consultant for NASCAR team Hendrick Motorsports as part of the team's pit crew staff, having cared for the pit crews on the 2013 Sprint Cup and 2014 second division (now Xfinity) teams under the Hendrick auspices.

Early life

Monahan grew up in South Florida[4] the oldest of eight children. Monahan graduated from Indiana University in 1969 with a bachelor's degree in physical education.[3]

Career

Monahan's connection to the Yankees began when was hired as a batboy in 1962. For ten years, he worked as an athletic trainer and clubhouse attendant in the minor leagues. In 1973, after George Steinbrenner purchased the team, he was hired as an athletic trainer.[3] For the better part of the next 39 seasons, Monahan was entrusted to care for and tend to the injuries of players from Reggie Jackson to Derek Jeter. During his time with the team, they won seven World Series Championships, (1977, 1978, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2009).

Later years and retirement

After the 2009 season, Monahan was diagnosed with throat cancer,[5] which doctors now believe originated in his tonsils.[6] He had surgery in January 2010, and underwent radiation therapy for several months, which forced him to miss his first spring training in 48 years.[6] He was present, however, for an emotional World Series ring Ceremony on Opening Day, April 12, 2010.[7] At the conclusion of the 2010 season Monahan and longtime assistant Steve Donohue were named the best athletic trainers in MLB by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainer Society.[8] On May 11, 2011, the Yankees announced that Monahan would retire following the 2011 season,[9] and on June 26, 2011, the team honored him at their annual Old-Timers' Day.[10]

Monahan is one of only three members of the Yankee organization to serve the entire length of George Steinbrenner's ownership,[7] but over the years he has often joked he was probably "fired" by The Boss on more occasions than all the Yankee managers combined.

Hendrick Motorsports

After retiring from the Yankees, Monahan moved from his home in Hackensack, New Jersey to Mooresville, North Carolina, where he now works as a consultant for Hendrick Motorsports. Monahan serves as an athletic trainer for Hendrick's pit crew members, most of which come from an athletic background.[11]

Awards

In 2011, he was inducted into the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame.[12]

He has appeared at every Old-Timers' Day since his retirement as of 2024.

References

  1. ^ "Past Award Winners: A–M: W.W. Patty Distinguished Alumni Award: Distinguished Alumni Awards: Alumni & Giving: School of Public Health: Indiana University Bloomington". School of Public Health. Indiana University. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  2. ^ O'Connor, Ian (April 13, 2010). "Ailing Monahan positive about prognosis". ESPN News. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c Borelli, Stephen (September 8, 2011). "Longtime Yankees trainer Gene Monahan retires". USA Today.
  4. ^ James, Brandon (May 16, 2018). "Meet athletic trainer Gene Monahan in this week's #MorningsWith". www.hendrickmotorsports.com. Hendrick Motorsports. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Yankees Pay Tribute to Monahan". 7 October 2011.
  6. ^ a b "In 48th season with New York Yankees, Gene Monahan faces lonely battle". New York Daily News. 9 May 2010.
  7. ^ a b Madden, Bill (April 13, 2010). "As New York Yankees trainer Gene Monahan battles cancer, Bombers bestow him with World Series ring". New York Daily News. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  8. ^ Gonzalez, Alden (December 15, 2010). "Yankees trainers honored as best in baseball". mlb.com. Archived from the original on December 19, 2010. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
  9. ^ Hoch, Bryan (May 11, 2011). "Trainer Monahan to retire at season's end: Longest-tenured member of Yankees joined team in 1962". mlb.com. Archived from the original on May 14, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  10. ^ "a-day-for-gene-monahan". 26 June 2011.
  11. ^ Bernstein, Vic (August 19, 2012). "A Yankees Lifer in Nascar Land". The New York Times. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  12. ^ Bios Of The Inductees Archived 2014-05-04 at the Wayback Machine. Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame website. Retrieved 2014-02-23.