Major League Athletic Trainers

Pittsburgh Pirates

Brad Henderson
Position: Head Athletic Trainer
College Attended: University of Missouri(B.S.)
Years in MLB: 19
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Brad Henderson is entering his forth year with the Pirates. Prior to Pittsburgh, Henderson spent three years in the Cardinals' Minor League system and was an assistant athletic trainer with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1988 to 2002. In 2000, he was selected as one of the athletic trainers for the All-Star Game in Atlanta. He also received the 2003 Harry Mitauer "Good Guy Award," which is awarded annually by St. Louis baseball writers. Henderson graduated from the University of Missouri, where he worked with the Tigers' football and baseball teams. In 1985, Henderson received the UM's Freddie Wappel Award, given annually to the school's outstanding athletic trainer. The former National League assistant athletic trainer representative for the PBATS Executive Committee, Henderson is a member of the NATA and the Missouri Board of Healing Arts and is licensed in both Florida and Pennsylvania. In his spare time, Henderson enjoys running, horse racing, and golfing. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, Julie, and their children, Blake and Brooke.

Mike Sandoval
Position: Assistant Athletic Trainer
College Attended: New Mexico State University(B.S.)
Years in MLB: 8
Mike Sandoval, 40, served as an athletic trainer for the Pirates’ farm system for 14 years before being promoted to the parent club. While earning an undergraduate degree at New Mexico State University, Sandoval joined the Pirates’ short-season clubs in Watertown, N.Y., and Princeton, W.Va. After graduation, Sandoval advanced through the Pirates’ system with teams in Salem, Va.; Harrisburg, Penn.; Zebulon, N.C.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Calgary, Canada; Augusta, Ga.; and Altoona, Penn. Sandoval also worked several off-seasons in various leagues in Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Kauai, Phoenix and Peoria. A native of Raton, N.M., Sandoval has been honored with the PBATS "Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award." Mike will also serve as the Head Athletic Trainer for Mexico in the inaugural 2006 World Baseball Classic. Licensed in Pennsylvania, Sandoval is a certified member of NATA and a member of PBATS. He lives in Gibsonia, Penn., with wife, Dodie, and their son, Michael.

Erwin Valencia
Position: Assistant Athletic Trainer / Physical Therapist
College Attended: University of the Philippines, Manila (BS PT); Plymouth State University (MED); University of St Augustine (DPT currently)
Years in MLB: 5
Erwin Valencia, 33, is entering his fifth season as Pirates’ Assistant Athletic Trainer/Team Physical Therapist/Major League Rehabilitation Coordinator. Prior to joining the Pirates’ MLB staff, Valencia spent a year as the Athletic Trainer for the Pirates’ Gulf Coast League Team for the 2005 season while assisting with Rehabilitation in Bradenton, FL. Prior to professional baseball, Valencia worked at the US Athletic Training Center in New York, Yale University, Stanford University, and at the Tilton School in New Hampshire. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of the Philippines, Manila and is a Registered Physical Therapist in the Philippines and in the United States. He received a Masters of Education in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine from Plymouth State University in New Hampshire and has since been a Certified Athletic Trainer and a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist. He also fulfilled a Post-Graduate Fellowship at Yale University, and is currently pursuing a clinical Doctoral degree in Manual Therapy with the University of St. Augustine. He is a Certified ART practitioner, a PRRT Instructor,a Performance Enhancement Specialist, and is member of the AAOMPT, APTA, NATA, NSCA, NASM, and is also a Consultant to Czech Republic Baseball and Ginebra Gin Kings Basketball Team (Philippines).