Home Run Career
By Meredith Cox
As a child , Steve Gober ’ 98 dreamed about playing Major League Baseball ( MLB ). He grew up in the batting cages and running bases , knowing he wanted a career in the sport . Gober attended Shenandoah in the late 1990s , playing baseball for the Hornets and intending to study physical therapy . After a few semesters , he realized the athletic training program was a better fit for hime .
He graduated with a bachelor ’ s degree in kinesiology , a focus in athletic training and bright hopes for a future in MLB . Today , as assistant athletic trainer for the Washington Nationals ( the Nats ), he has fulfilled that dream .
“ Getting to stand on the first-base line on opening day was a pretty eye-opening experience for me ,” said Gober . “ It made me feel as if I ’ d accomplished something I ’ d set out to do ; just to stand out there was a great feeling .”
At Shenandoah , Gober studied with Barry Deuel and Michelle Marston ’ 90 .
“ Barry and Michelle molded me into the professional that I am today ,” explained Gober . “ They gave each of us the opportunity to learn on our own .”
After graduating from Shenandoah , Gober accepted an internship with the New York Mets . Fellow alumnus Brian Chicklo ’ 95 , who worked there , helped Gober get his foot in the door . While working in the Strength and Conditioning Department , Gober also finished his hours in athletic training and passed the athletic training certification exam . He stayed with the Mets for a few years , then took a position with the Montreal Expos . When the Expos were bought by the Lerner family and the franchise moved to Washington , D . C ., Gober followed and worked in the minor league system for the Nats from 2005 to 2012 . He spent most of his time in Melbourne , Fla ., doing rehab with the players . In the fall of 2012 , after 13 years in the minor league , Gober was promoted to work with the Washington Nationals .
Gober recalls many great moments in his career . During his first year as an intern with the Mets , Garth Brooks performed at Shea Stadium ( now Citi Field ). The week before the performance , Gober was assigned to be Brooks ’ personal assistant during his stay . A routine intern job turned out to be a memorable experience for Gober . In his first year with the Nats , the team was in game four of the playoffs when outfielder Jayson Werth hit a homerun to win the game .
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