Greetings Cansecoites,

It sounds like Jose's rehab is going extremely well, and like he's really
looking forward to getting back in the lineup this year. Check out the
news below - there are some great Jose quotes in there... He sounds
absolutely determined to get to 500 homers!

-Mark

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From the St. Petersburg Times:
Pain-free Canseco eyes early return
By Roger Mills, Marc Topkin
August 7, 1999

ST. PETERSBURG -- The strength is back in his voice, the smile is back on
his face. And if you listen to slugger Jose Canseco, his bat could be back
in the lineup in about two weeks.

Easy, big fella.

Canseco, who has been rehabbing in St. Petersburg the past four days, said
he is well ahead of schedule and has great plans for his comeback.

"After surgery, the pain was completely gone and I felt great," said
Canseco, who met with reporters in the clubhouse before Friday's game. "The
next day, I walked out of the hospital and I felt incredible.

"I came in two or three days ago to do their rehab program, which they said
would take five or six days to do, and I did it in one hour with no
soreness, no nothing. I felt great. I still think I'm two or three weeks
ahead of schedule. If it were left to me I would be in the lineup in 10 or
11 days."

Rays trainer Jamie Reed said he was not surprised by Canseco's torrid rehab
pace but cautioned that the team's home run leader needs to be patient.

"He's doing great and is pain-free, but I think he needs to complete his
full rehab schedule," Reed said. "Let's wait and see how things go."

In a talkative mood, Canseco said he not only thinks about coming back this
year, but resuming his American League home run chase with Seattle's Ken
Griffey. When Canseco went on the disabled list July 10, he led the AL with
31 homers. Griffey now has 35.

"Anything can happen, I can get five in a week," Canseco said.

More proof the Canseco confidence is back: "Before I die, I'm going to hit
500 home runs, no doubt about it. The injuries will not keep me from it ...
I guarantee you I will hit 500."

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From the AP:
Canseco gets encouraging news on back

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - Jose Canseco's recovery from back surgery is
going so well that the slugger believes he could return to the Tampa Bay
Devil Rays sooner than expected to resume his quest for 500 career home runs.

"I think I'm two or three weeks ahead of schedule. If it were up to me, I'd
be in the lineup in 10 or 11 days. But I only work here," the 35-year-old
designated hitter said before Friday night's game against the Cleveland
Indians.

Canseco had surgery for a herniated disc on July 11. Doctors said at the
time that the earliest they expected him to be able to play again was Sept. 1.

Although trainers have been encouraged by his progress in rehabilitation
workouts, the club is urging him to not get too far ahead of schedule.

"It's been amazing to see, but he still has more hurdles to cross," manager
Larry Rothschild, noting Canseco hasn't even begun to swing a bat yet.

"He's progressed very rapidly. But if holding him back means we don't lose
him (again), the obvious decision is you take your time."

Canseco led the American League with 31 homers when he was injured and
hasn't given up hope that he can come back and regain the lead from Ken
Griffey Jr., who had 35 before Seattle played the New York Yankees Friday
night.

He watched former teammate Mark McGwire hit his 500th career homer on
television Thursday night and admitted he won't be satisfied with his
career until he reaches the milestone too.

Canseco, the only player in major league history to hit 30-plus homers in a
season for four different teams, is 72 away from the mark.

"Before I die, I want to hit 500 home runs. These injuries will not keep me
from it. I don't care if I have to have back surgery every year. It will
not keep me from doing it," Canseco said.

"I'll play until I'm 45. ... I don't care what's in my future - a broken
leg, a broken ankle, a broken wrist, three or four more back surgeries. I
guarantee you I'll get 500 home runs."

In an interview from his hospital bed the day after surgery, Canseco said
he might consider retirement if he couldn't come back and swing the bat the
way he thinks he's capable.

His progress in rehab, however, has bolstered his confidence that he still
has some good years ahead of him.

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From the AP:
Canseco could return before Sept. 1
By Fred Goodall

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Jose Canseco still thinks he can win the AL home
run title. All he wants is his body to give him a chance.

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays slugger is ahead of schedule on his rehabilitation
from back surgery and believes he could be back in the lineup before the
end of the month.

Although he's yet to start swinging the bat again, Canseco said his back
feels ''incredible'' and that catching AL home run leader Ken Griffey, Jr.,
is not out of the question.

''If it were my schedule, I would have hit today,'' Canseco said Friday,
adding that he was able to complete the first stage of his rehab in an hour
instead of the five or six days it takes most people recovering from his
injury.

''I think I'm two or three weeks ahead of schedule. If it were up to me,
I'd be in the lineup in 10 or 11 days,'' he added. ''But I only work here.''

Canseco had surgery for a herniated disc on July 11. Doctors said the
earliest they expected him to be able to play again was Sept. 1.

Although trainers have been encouraged by his progress, the club is urging
him to not rush through rehabilitation.

''It's been amazing to see, but he still has more hurdles to cross,''
manager Larry Rothschild said.

Canseco led the AL with 31 homers when he was injured and hasn't given up
hope that he can come back and regain the lead from Griffey, who has 35.

He watched former teammate Mark McGwire hit his 500th career homer on
television Thursday night and that milestone also is part of the motivation
to return as soon as possible.

''I don't place any limits on what I can do,'' the 35-year-old slugger said.

The day after surgery, Canseco said he might consider retirement if he
couldn't come back and swing the bat the way he's accustomed. His progress
in rehab, though, has bolstered his confidence that he still has some good
years ahead of him.

''Before I die, I want to hit 500 home runs. These injuries will not keep
me from it. I don't care if I have to have back surgery every year. It will
not keep me from doing it,'' said Canseco, who's 72 away from the mark.

''I'll play until I'm 45. ... I don't care what's in my future a broken
leg, a broken ankle, a broken wrist, three or four more back surgeries. I
guarantee you I'll get 500 home runs.''

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