Pablo Sandoval's Weight Loss Journey
During Pablo Sandoval's brief prime, he was capable of batting over .300 and hitting twenty-plus home runs while striking out fewer than 100 times. He was nicknamed "Kung-fu Panda" due to his size, weighing up to 278 pounds at 5'10. He batted over .300 his first two seasons with the San Francisco Giants before floundering in his third year, dropping to a .268 average and grounding into a league-leading twenty-six double plays.
Pablo's struggles in 2010 led to the team benching him in the playoffs, as the Giants would go on to win the World Series. He was overweight that season and that excess weight, combined with his mental approach, was the root cause of the performance drop. His MLB career was at a turning point.
The Giants worked with Sandoval in what they called "Operation Panda" that offseason to get him into better shape. By dieting and exercising, Pablo would lose 38 pounds to weigh in at 240 for the 2011 season. He gave up soda and chips while doing hill and pool workouts. The operation was successful, and Pablo would have his best year ever in the majors. He would play eleven more years in major league baseball, helping San Francisco win two more World Series.
- 278 lb -> 240 lb
- 38 lbs
- Nov 1, 2010 - Feb 18, 2011
- 3 months
- Total calorie deficit
- 133,000
Quotes
I had to make a decision if I wanted to keep playing in the big leagues, To save my career.
Pablo Sandoval
I don't care what people say about me, I am going to shut their mouths when spring training begins. By that date, I should be in good form.
Pablo Sandoval
References
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Pablo Sandoval: An Inspired Kung Fu Panda Prepares for Spring Training
But nobody can deny that "Operation Panda" was a success. And look on the bright side. Due to Sandoval's dedication to staying in shape, he's earned himself a nice three-year, $17.15 million contract.
Bleacher Report
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Giants notebook: Pablo Sandoval weighs in at 240 pounds
Sandoval weighed 278 pounds at the end of last season. He also reduced his body fat measurement from 30 percent to 19 percent,
The Mercury News
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Slimmed-Down 'Panda' Ready For Giants' Spring Training
The 24-year-old Sandoval has hired a personal chef to cook him three meals a day during the season in San Francisco. He hasn't had soda or chips for 2 1/2 months and only picked up a bat last month after two months of only conditioning and weightlifting workouts.
CBS
