Hey everyone,

Good news - it sounds like Jose's rehab is progressing nicely and we will
get to see him smack more homers this year! This 1999 Home Run Tour
continues! Sounds like he's shooting for a 9/1 return, but may be back
even before that...

Story time: I was working in Marion, IL last week, which happens to be
about a 2 hour drive from St. Louis. After seeing McGwire hit homer #499
on tv Wednesday night and with Tony Gwynn only 2 hits shy of 3000, my
coworker Mark and I decided to drive to St. Louis to try to get in to
Thursday night's game. We arrived about 3 hours before gametime. The game
was completely sold out, and standing room tickets were going for $100 or
more. We ended up buying 2 seats from a scalper for $125 each. This is
about 42 times more than we paid for tickets at the Trop a couple of weeks
ago!

It was worth it. Our seats were pretty good ones along the third base
line, and not only did we get to see Big Mac smack #500, but he added #501
as a bonus later on. This was the first non-Canseco game I've seen (not
counting ones where Jose was supposed to play but was hurt, like 2 weeks
ago) in about 5 years. Oh, get this - on the way out, we sold our
scorecards that cost us $2 for 50 bucks each! I still have my ticket stub
- I wonder what that's worth...

Ok, that's my story. Not nearly as good as the Canseco ones
(http://www.canseconet.com/memories.htm), but it was still a great time.
Last night made me realize how much I'm looking forward to Jose's 500th
homer. If at all possible, I WILL BE THERE.

Take it easy,
Mark

P.S. I'll be in Seattle this weekend - anyone going to the Mariners/Yankees
game on Saturday? Let me know if you are...

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From the St. Petersburg Times (7/31):

RAYS BITS: DH Jose Canseco, who had back surgery July 11, is expected in
St. Petersburg this weekend to meet with team doctors and map out a rehab
program. He remains optimistic about returning this season. . . .

==========
From the St. Petersburg Times:
Canseco may return this month
By Marc Topkin
August 3, 1999

SEATTLE -- Jose Canseco could be back in the Rays' lineup by the end of the
month.

Canseco, who had surgery for a herniated disc July 11, is making good
progress in rehabilitation workouts at Tropicana Field, trainer Jamie Reed
said. "For me, the goal is still Sept. 1," Reed said Monday. "Is there a
chance he could beat it? Yeah."

Canseco is in the second stage of a five-step rehab program. Each step
takes about a week, and he will be able to start swinging a bat after the
third level is completed.

"He's doing very well," Reed said.

Canseco had 31 home runs and 69 RBI at the time he was injured. The Rays
have gone 5-14 since, and Canseco still leads the team in homers and is
second in RBI.

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From PSX:

NOTES, QUOTES, ANECDOTES
Maybe it is because he has had so much practice over the years, but Jose
Canseco appears to be a fast healer.

The Devil Rays DH underwent back surgery barely a month ago, but has
already begun workouts at Tropicana Field. He is expected to begin swinging
a bat early next week and is scheduled to be back in the lineup on Sept. 1,
if not sooner.

"For me, the goal is still Sept. 1," trainer Jamie Reed said. "Is there a
chance he could beat it? Yeah."

==========
Mark Petrillo
mark@...
Canseconet.com - The Jose Canseco Site
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