Tony Conigliaro

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tony Conigliaro on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Anthony Richard "Tony" Conigliaro (January 7, 1945 - February 24, 1990), nicknamed "Tony C.", was a Major League Baseball outfielder and right-handed batter who played for the Boston Red Sox (1964-67, 1969-1970, 1975) and California Angels (1971). He was born in Revere, Massachusetts and was a 1962 graduate of Saint Mary's High School in Lynn, Massachusetts.

In his 1964 rookie season, Conigliaro batted .290 with 24 home runs and 52 RBI in 111 games, but broke his arm in August. Tony Oliva won American League Rookie of the Year honors.

In his 1965 sophomore season, Conigliaro led the league in home runs (32). He was selected for the All-Star Game in 1967. In that season, at age 22, he became the youngest American League player to reach a career total of 100 home runs.

On August 18, 1967, the Red Sox were playing the Angels at Fenway Park. Conigliaro, batting against Jack Hamilton, was hit by a pitch on his left cheekbone, and was carried off the field on a stretcher. He sustained a broken cheekbone and severe damage to his left retina. The batting helmet he was wearing did not have the protective earflap that has since become standard.

A year and a half later, Conigliaro made a remarkable return, hitting 20 homers with 82 RBI in 141 games, earning Comeback Player of the Year honors. In 1970, he reached career-high numbers in HRs (36) and RBI (116). After a stint with the Angels in 1971, he returned to the Red Sox briefly in 1975, but was forced to retire because his eyesight had been permanently damaged.

Conigliaro batted .267 with 162 home runs and 501 RBI during his 802-game Red Sox career. With the Angels, he hit .222, 4, 15, in 74 games. He holds the MLB record for most home runs (25) hit by a teenage player.

On January 3, 1982 Conigliaro, in Boston to interview for a broadcasting position, suffered a heart attack while being driven to the airport by his brother Billy, and lapsed into a coma. Conigliaro never completely recovered. Eight years later, he died in Salem, Massachusetts at 45 years of age. In commemoration, the Red Sox wore black armbands that season.

Currently, the Tony Conigliaro Award is given annually to the player who best overcomes an obstacle and continues to thrive through the adversity.

Fenway Park features a new section of bleachers for the 2007 season, called 'Conigliaro's Corner', in honor of him.

Conigliaro is interred in Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden, Massachusetts.

Preceded by Harmon Killebrew	American League Home Run Champion 1965	Succeeded by Frank Robinson
Preceded by Ken Harrelson	AL Comeback Player of the Year 1969	Succeeded by Clyde Wright