Gary Amato Is Now With The Nationals Organization

Here’s a crazy story for all of you who want to know some of the more interesting parts about this business.

On Sunday, I reported that Dynasty added Gary Amato as a client to its growing baseball division.  Interestingly, we first started talking to Gary because one of his teammates on the West Virginia Power (Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate) was inquiring about what we offer in terms of representation.  We later found out that Amato is also friends with another on of our clients, Pete Parise.  They both played summer ball together and played against each other in college.  Anyway, we were elated with the signing of Amato.

A day later, Amato abruptly got cut by the Pirates.  They said that the decision had absolutely nothing to do with his ability, but was purely a business decision involving finances.  Bryan Swalley and I started to brainstorm.  Instead of panicking and getting angry at the fact that a client we had just signed a day before was now without a job, we called up people within a few organizations where we thought Amato might be a good fit.  At the top of our list was the Washington Nationals.

Already having a solid relationship with the organization (Leatherman is currently there and Gunderson was with the club before being traded to the Marlins), we set up a bullpen session for Amato to show his stuff in front of some of the Nats pitching coaches.  Lucky for us, Amato lives only a few minutes away from the Nationals Spring Training facility.  He showed up yesterday and has already received an offer to join with the Nationals in Extended Spring Training.  He will be with the club pending the completion of a physical.

This is just one example of how drive, persistence, opportunity, and a little bit of luck will get you far in this industry.  We are happy that Gary will be given another chance to prove he can make it and wish him the best as a National.