Tony Conigliaro Award
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In 1990 the Boston Red Sox instituted a national award to honor the memory of their former star Tony Conigliaro. The Tony Conigliaro Award is given annually to a Major League Baseball player who best overcomes an obstacle and adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage thet were trademarks of Conigliaro. His promising career was tragically shortened when he was hit in the face by a pitch at Fenway Park on August 18, 1967. He made a dramatic comeback in 1969, hit 56 home runs with 198 RBI in two seasons, but his performance fell off and he was never the same player.
A special panel composed of the media, representatives of the commissioner and the two leagues offices. Tony's brothers Billy and Richie, and a fan make the selection. Announcement of the award is made at the annual major league winter meetings in December and the formal presentation takes place at the Boston Baseball Writers Association dinner in January.
This is the list of the players honored with the Tony Conigliaro Award:
1990
- Jim Eisenreich
- Tourette syndrome sufferer
1991
1992
- Jim Abbott
- Born without a right hand
1993
- Bo Jackson
- Came back from hip replacement surgery in 1992
1994
1995
1996
- Curtis Pride
- Deaf from birth
1997
- Eric Davis
- Came back after diagnosis of colon cancer early that season
1998
- Bret Saberhagen
- Came back from serious shoulder injuries
1999
- Mike Lowell
- Came back from testicular cancer
2000
- Kent Mercker and Tony Saunders
- Mercker came back from cerebral hemorrhage
- Saunders came back from breaking his arm while throwing a pitch
2001
- Graeme Lloyd and Jason Johnson
- Johnson is a Type I diabetic who wears an insulin pump on the field
2002
- José Rijo
- Came back after several years out of baseball with serious elbow injuries
2003
2004
Official resource: 2004 Boston Red Sox Media Guide