Major League Athletic Trainers

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Ned Bergert
Position: Head Athletic Trainer
College Attended: ST. Ambrose University(B.A.)
Years in MLB: 27
Regularly sought for his athletic health care expertise, Ned Bergert, 51, was a lecturer at Cal State Poly (Pomona)for five years and also lectures to high school students on the dangers of spit tobacco. This past May, Bergert was chosen to receive the prestigious "Athletic trainers Service Award" by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA). The national award is given to "athletic trainers that have achieved a degree of excellence in their field profession both on and off the field." In 1998,was honoered with "Major League Athletic Training Staff of the Year" honors from PBATS and received a "Special Recognition Award" from the Far West Athletic Trainers Association. A member of the St. Ambrose University Hall of Fame since 1987, Bergert represented the American League in the 1991 and 2002 MLB All- Star Game. In his 32nd year in the Angels organization, Bergert began his career as athletic trainer of the Class A Quad Cities Angels in 1975. Three years later he was promoted to the parent club. The Davenport, Iowa, native has donated his free time to the American Cancer Society and Boy Scouts of America. Serves as exhibit coordinator for the PBATS Team Medicine Conference, 2004 Japans MLB-All Star Tour Athletic Trainer, PBATS Newsletter, and a member of NATA Grant and Scholarship Committee. In addition, he assists with charitable efforts to help children and the homeless. Bergert, his wife, Sandra, and two sons, Chad and Scott both Eagle Scouts), reside in Yorba Linda, Calif.

Adam Nevala
Position: Assistant Athletic Trainer
College Attended: Arizona State University(B.S.)
Years in MLB: 4
Adam Nevala, 32, rejoins the Angels Major League Athletic Training Staff for his fourth year after working in the team’s minor league system for 7 seasons. Nevala served as the head athletic trainer in AAA Salt Lake City where he spent 2 seasons (2003-2004). Prior to that, he was the head athletic trainer for AAArkansas (2002), Rancho Cucamonga (2001), Lake Elsinore (2000), Cedar Rapids (1999), and assistant athletic trainer/clubhouse manager in Butte (1998). In 2002 (Detroit), 2003 (Phoenix), and 2006 (Atlanta), Adam was a presenter at the PBATS annual team medicine conference. A native of Minnesota, Nevala received his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University and his masters degree from the University of California Pennsylvania. Adam spends his off-seasons in Irvine, CA with his wife Tina.

Rick Smith
Position: Assistant Athletic Trainer
College Attended: University of Texas-El Paso(B.S.)
Years in MLB: 28
Rick "Ranger Rick" Smith, 51, gives a great deal of himself to the Angels, but he doesn't stop there. Smith serves on the PBATS Awards Committee and is a member of the "Helping Enhance Resources of Every Student" (H.E.R.O.E.S.) Committee at his son's school, Tustin Memorial Academy in Santa Ana, Calif. Before his promotion to the Angels' parent club in 1978, where he served as the Angels' head athletic trainer from 1979 to 1990, Smith was the head athletic trainer for the Class AA El Paso Diablos. An El Paso native, Smith was a student athletic trainer for the University of Texas-El Paso Miners' athletic teams from 1971 until his graduation in 1975. He served as American League athletic trainer for MLB All-Star Games in 1984, 1989 and 1997. Smith resides in Santa Ana, Calif., with his wife Janell, and their son, Karcher.