Former Osprey Sean McQueeney in First Year as Cincinnati Reds Head Trainer

Galloway, N.J – Stockton University alumnus Sean McQueeney is in his first season as the head athletic trainer for the Cincinnati Reds. McQueeney, who previously worked for two other Major League Baseball organizations, returned to the diamond this year after eight years working as a physical therapist for several private companies.

“This is the fulfillment of a dream I’ve had for a long, long time,” McQueeney said. “As a kid I had hoped to be a professional baseball player, and once I realized that was not my future I was determined to become the Head Athletic Trainer for an MLB team. A big goal for my first year has been to really soak in the opportunity and joys of being with a Major League Baseball team and be thankful that I get paid to watch MLB games.”

A native of Vineland, N.J., McQueeney played baseball for one season at Stockton, appearing in 11 games and totaling three runs and one RBI in 2000. He also was a student worker and later a graduate assistant for Stockton Athletic Training. McQueeney obtained his bachelor’s degree in biology followed by his master’s degree and then doctorate in physical therapy from Stockton.

McQueeney’s name was in the news last month for his role related to an injury to Reds second baseman Jonathan India, the 2021 National League Rookie of the Year. India was airlifted to a hospital following the Field of Dreams Game in Dyersville, Iowa. India was hit by a pitch during the game and the doctor feared compartment syndrome.

McQueeney drove 90 minutes to the hospital to meet India and later accompanied the second baseman on an eight-hour drive back to Cincinnati once compartment syndrome was ruled out. “Thankfully Sean McQueeney stepped up and did a great job with Jonathan,” Reds manager David Bell later told the media.

“This was such an interesting situation that if we were in any Major League city would not have been an issue at all,” McQueeney said. “We had a concern for a more serious injury with Jonathan so he was airlifted to Iowa City and his girlfriend and I drove to meet him there.”

“Luckily the worst case was ruled out and Jonathan was released from the hospital at 3 a.m. After catching a couple of hours of sleep we ended up driving eight hours back to Cincinnati together the next day. For me it was just what needed to be done to take care of Jonathan.”

McQueeney’s first two stints in baseball came with a pair of American League organizations. He served as coordinator of rehabilitation & athletic training and coordinator of minor league rehabilitation for the Seattle Mariners from 2004-2011. McQueeney then spent time in the Kansas City Royals organization as minor league rehabilitation coordinator from 2011-2013.

McQueeney’s experience working in baseball also extends to a three-month stint as head trainer for Cardenales de Lara in the Venezuelan Winter League in 2009 and an internship with the Reds training staff in 2004.

A journey that began at Stockton over two decades ago has taken McQueeney on a path to his dream job in the majors. Just like the players that he helps, McQueeney has made it to “The Show”.