Anibal Sanchez Loses 30 Pounds, Is Presumably In Best Shape of His Life

When spring training starts every year, a slew of players proclaim themselves to be in the best shape of their lives, to the point that the phrase has become something of a joke among baseball fans. For Anibal Sanchez, though, it might be true. The Marlins starter lost 30 points this winter thanks to a diet put together for him by former NBA player John Salley.

Sanchez is best known for his no-hitter in 2006, but in the three seasons since then he's only started about a season's worth of games due to a slew of injuries. He hasn't pitched well in that span, either, going 8-14 with 4.56 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in 32 starts over that span. This spring, though, he's healthy and apparently determined to prove to the Marlins that he's serious about finding his 2006 form on the mound again.

I think my favorite part of the story is the quote Sanchez gives to the Palm Beach Post in the link above, though:

"Today I threw a lot of pitches in two innings, then I went running, I worked out and I don't feel tired," he said. "Last year and years ago I'd feel tired after any workout. When you lose weight and you feel comfortable with your body, you can do lot of things."

I don't want to be mean about this ... but how did that never occur to a professional athlete before?