But the former shortstop, who starred for Detroit when they vanquished San Diego in the 1984 World Series, retired four seasons ago, yielding to age and injuries. Look, Rickey's no health-food nut. Rickey knows enough to eat well and get his rest, knows how important it is to exercise and keep fit. And there are so many temptations, especially on the road. More than one player, Trammell noted, has eaten himself out of the majors.
Every player gets a thorough physical in spring training.
But trainers aren't going to baby sit these guys. Padres Trainer Todd Hutchenson said he and Bill Henry, the team's strength and conditioning coach, stay up with the latest in multivitamins and training supplements, and will customize a nutrition plan for any player. But when it comes to making 40-somethings play like kids, they're fresh out of magic. You're not going to eat something, or not eat something, and suddenly look like that. It has to do with metabolism and how his muscles were put together.