Major League Baseball Comeback Player of the Year Award

Major League Baseball Comeback Player of the Year Award
Awarded for Given to Major League Baseball players who "re-emerged on the baseball field during a given season."
Country United States
Presented by Major League Baseball
First awarded 2005
Currently held by Matt Harvey, National League
Prince Fielder, American League

The Major League Baseball Comeback Player of the Year Award is presented by Major League Baseball (MLB) to the player who is judged to have "re-emerged on the baseball field during a given season."[1] The award was developed in 2005, as part of a sponsorship agreement between MLB and Viagra.[1] In 2005 and 2006 representatives from MLB and MLB.com selected six candidates each from the American (AL) and National Leagues (NL) and one winner for each league was selected via an online poll on MLB.com.[1][2] Since then, the winners have been selected by a panel of MLB beat reporters.[3][4][5] Under the current voting structure, first place votes are worth five points, second place votes worth three, and third place votes worth one with the award going to the player with the most points overall.[6] Past winners have often overcome injury or personal problems en route to their award-winning season.

A Comeback Player of the Year Award has been given by The Sporting News since 1965 but its results are not officially recognized by Major League Baseball. Since the beginning of the MLB award in 2005, the recipients have been identical with the following exceptions: 2008 NL (MLB honored Brad Lidge, TSN honored Fernando Tatís) and 2010 AL (MLB honored Francisco Liriano, TSN honored Vladimir Guerrero). Francisco Liriano is the only person to win the MLB award multiple times (2010 AL, 2013 NL), and the first to win it in each league.

Twelve players were named to the Major League Baseball All-Star team in their Comeback Award winning season: Jim Thome, Nomar Garciaparra, Dmitri Young, Cliff Lee, Brad Lidge, Aaron Hill, Tim Hudson, Lance Berkman, Jacoby Ellsbury, Buster Posey, Fernando Rodney, and Mariano Rivera. Two players who were not named to the All-Star team in their winning year—Jason Giambi and Ken Griffey, Jr.—were named to the All-Star team in their previous season. Several winners have won other awards in their winning season. Carlos Peña, Posey, Ellsbury, Griffey and Hill won the Silver Slugger Award along with the Comeback Award. Posey won the NL MVP in his comeback season. Lee won the Cy Young Award in his winning season and Lidge won both the Rolaids Relief Man and DHL Delivery Man Awards the same year. Rodney was also named Delivery Man in his comeback 2012 season. The most recent winners are Matt Harvey from the NL and Prince Fielder from the AL.

American League winners

Year Winner Image Team Position Comeback
2005 Giambi, JasonJason Giambi A man in a grey baseball uniform and navy blue batting helmet swings through a pitch. New York Yankees First baseman/
Designated hitter		 Giambi underwent knee surgery before the 2004 season.[7] He also endured a variety of health problems during the season including an inflamed knee, a respiratory infection, an intestinal parasite infection, and a benign pituitary tumor.[8] As a result, Giambi appeared in just 80 games during the 2004 regular season, batting .208.[9] He returned to the Yankees in 2005 and led the American League in walks (108) and on-base percentage (.440).[9][10]
2006 Thome, JimJim Thome A man in a grey baseball uniform with "Chicago" on his chest in black with a black cap, black batting gloves, and a baseball bat under his arm. Chicago White Sox Designated hitter Thome experienced multiple elbow injuries during the 2005 season; appeared in just 59 regular season games, batting .205; and was traded to the White Sox from the Philadelphia Phillies in the offseason.[11][12] Thome was elected to the All-Star team in 2006, finishing the season with 42 home runs and 109 runs batted in.[2][12]
2007 Peña, CarlosCarlos Peña A man in a grey baseball uniform with "Rays" on the chest and "TB" on his blue batting helmet winces as he stops his swing. Tampa Bay Devil Rays First baseman Pena was released by the Detroit Tigers before the 2006 season. He signed with the New York Yankees, but never appeared in a Major League game for them and was released on August 16, 2006.[13] Finally the Boston Red Sox signed Pena and he appeared in just 18 Major League games,[13] spending the bulk of time in the minor leagues.[14] In 2007 Pena set Tampa Bay franchise records in home runs (46), runs batted in (121), and walks (103)[15] and won the Devil Rays' first Silver Slugger Award.[16]
2008 Lee, CliffCliff Lee A man in a grey baseball uniform with a blue cap throws a baseball. Cleveland Indians Starting pitcher Lee pitched 971⁄3 innings in the Majors in 2007, going 5–8 with a 6.29 earned run average (ERA). He missed the first month of the season with an abdominal strain and was sent to the Triple-A minor league Buffalo Bisons mid-season. In 2008 he pitched 2231⁄3 innings, went 22–3 with a 2.54 ERA,[17] and won the Cy Young Award.[18]
2009 Hill, AaronAaron Hill A man in grey a baseball uniform with "Toronto" and "2" on the jersey and a black cap with the Toronto Blue Jays logo on it. Toronto Blue Jays Second baseman On May 29, 2008, Hill collided with former Blue Jays shortstop David Eckstein while fielding a fly ball and suffered a serious concussion.[19] He did not return to the Majors that season.[20] The injury was severe enough that Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston commented that "[s]ometimes people don't come back from concussions."[19] Hill did return in 2009, however, hitting 36 home runs (third most ever by an American League second baseman)[19] with 108 runs batted in; he led the American League in plate appearances, and made the 2009 All-Star team.[21] Hill also won the Silver Slugger Award at second base.[22]
2010 Liriano, FranciscoFrancisco Liriano Minnesota Twins Starting pitcher Liriano missed the entire 2007 season due to Tommy John surgery and was limited by injuries the next two years, including a stint on the disabled list during the 2009 season.[23][24] In 2010, however, Liriano threw the second-most innings of any pitcher for the Minnesota Twins, led the team in ERA, and allowed the fewest home runs per nine innings of any pitcher in the AL (0.4).[25][26]
2011 Ellsbury, JacobyJacoby Ellsbury A young man in a grey baseball jersey wearing a batting helmet with eyeblack under his eyes. Boston Red Sox Outfielder In 2010, Ellsbury only played in 18 games after breaking three ribs in a fielding collision with Adrián Beltré. In 2011, Ellsbury was the first Red Sox player and one of four Major Leaguers (the most in a single season) to record 30 homers and 30 stolen bases, and he posted career highs in nearly every offensive category. The center fielder hit .321 with 32 homers, 105 RBIs, 39 steals, 46 doubles, five triples and 119 runs, and he led the Majors with 364 total bases and 83 extra-base hits.[5][27]
2012 Rodney, FernandoFernando Rodney Tampa Bay Rays Relief pitcher Rodney battled ineffectiveness in 2011, blowing four saves and being replaced by Jordan Walden as closer of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In 2012, Rodney became the Rays' closer after Kyle Farnsworth went on the disabled list, and compiled 48 saves (second-most in the American League, only behind Jim Johnson of the Baltimore Orioles) in 50 opportunities while being named to the AL All-Star team and recording an earned run average (ERA) of 0.60, the lowest in a single season by any pitcher in MLB history.[28]
2013 Rivera, MarianoMariano Rivera New York Yankees Relief pitcher Prior to a game on May 3, 2012, Rivera suffered a season-ending injury by tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee, after twisting his leg while shagging balls in batting practice.[29][30] Speculation grew that the injury would end his career, as he had hinted at retirement in spring training,[31][32] but Rivera said that he intended to return.[33] After undergoing ACL reconstructive surgery,[34] he rehabilitated his leg in time to return for the 2013 season, which he announced would be his last.[30] In his farewell season, the 43-year-old Rivera saved 44 games in 51 opportunities, with a 2.11 ERA and 1.05 WHIP.[35][36]
2014 Young, ChrisChris Young Seattle Mariners Starting pitcher Young didn't pitch in the majors in 2013, as thoracic outlet syndrome limited him to just nine starts in the Washington Nationals minor league system. The condition was so acute that the pain had Young considering retirement, before it was ultimately surgically corrected in the 2013 offseason.[37] Released by the Nationals at the tailend of 2014 spring training, Young signed with the Mariners and experienced a resurgence, being one of the team's most reliable starting pitchers. For the season, Young went 12–9 with a 3.65 earned run average, as the Mariners finished just one game short of qualifying for the postseason.
2015 Fielder, PrincePrince Fielder Texas Rangers Designated Hitter Fielder played only 42 games in 2014 before having season-ending neck surgery. He bounced back strong in 2015, hitting .305/.378/.463 with 23 homers and 98 RBI in 158 games.

National League winners

Year Winner Image Team Position Comeback
2005 Griffey, Jr., KenKen Griffey, Jr. A man in a grey baseball uniform with red sleeves and a red hat with a white "C" on it. Cincinnati Reds Center fielder Griffey experienced several serious injuries from 2000 to 2004 including a torn hamstring, a torn knee tendon, a dislocated shoulder, and torn ankle tissue.[8] His torn hamstring required major surgery in August 2004. He appeared in only 83 games in the 2004 season.[8][38] Griffey returned in 2005, batted .301, and hit 35 home runs (his most in a season since 2000).[38]
2006 Garciaparra, NomarNomar Garciaparra Portrait of a man wearing a blue baseball cap with "LA" on it and sunglasses over it. Los Angeles Dodgers First baseman Garciaparra tore his groin while running out of the batter's box on April 20, 2005 and went on the disabled list.[39] He did not play in another Major League game until August 5[40] and appeared in only 62 games that season.[41] In 2006 Garciaparra batted .303, made the All-Star team, and made only four errors despite playing first base for the first time in his career.[2]
2007 Young, DmitriDmitri Young A man in a white baseball uniform with a red baseball cap and black glove plays in the field. Washington Nationals First baseman Young experienced several personal issues throughout the 2006 season, including a divorce, treatment for substance abuse and depression, and pleading guilty to assaulting his girlfriend. He was also released by the Detroit Tigers during the season,[42] appearing in only 48 games in the 2006 season.[43] Young ended the 2007 season with a .320 batting average, which ranked 8th in the National League, and was named to the 2007 All-Star team.[43][44]
2008 Lidge, BradBrad Lidge A man in grey pants, a blue baseball jersey, and a red baseball cap with "P" on it jogs in the field Philadelphia Phillies Relief pitcher In 2006 and 2007, Lidge had 14 blown saves and a 4.37 earned run average (ERA) for the Houston Astros. Some attributed this lesser performance to a game-winning home run Albert Pujols hit off of him in the 2005 National League Championship Series.[45][46] In 2008, Lidge had a 1.95 ERA and converted 41 saves in 41 save chances,[46][47] winning both the Rolaids Relief Man and the DHL Delivery Man Awards.[48][49]
2009 Carpenter, ChrisChris Carpenter A man in a grey baseball uniform stands bent over with his right leg in the air having just pitched the ball to home plate. St. Louis Cardinals Starting pitcher Carpenter experienced a number of injuries including elbow surgery and Tommy John surgery in the 2007 season followed by shoulder surgery in the 2008 season,[6] allowing him to pitch just six innings in 2007 and 151⁄3 in 2008. In 2009, however, Carpenter posted a 17–4 record over 1922⁄3 innings with a 2.24 earned run average (ERA),[50] the lowest ERA in the National League that year.[51]
2010 Hudson, TimTim Hudson Atlanta Braves Starting pitcher Hudson suffered an elbow injury in 2008 requiring Tommy John surgery which kept him out for nearly a full season, returning to start a handful of games at the end of 2009. In 2010, however, Hudson pitched the full season for the Atlanta Braves. Hudson ranked in the league's top ten in wins (17, ranking 4th), innings pitched (2282⁄3, 4th), winning percentage (.654, 4th), ERA (2.83, 6th), and WHIP (1.15, 9th.)[23][52][53] Additionally, Hudson was named to the 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.[53]
2011 Berkman, LanceLance Berkman A man in a grey baseball uniform and a dark baseball cap jogs on grass holding a baseball glove in his right hand. St. Louis Cardinals Outfielder Berkman suffered a knee injury in 2010 and batted just .248 for the season, posting an OPS of .781 (his career average through 2010 was .954).[5][27][54] In 2011 Berkman ranked among the top 10 in the NL in on-base percentage (3rd), walks (4th), slugging percentage (5th), and home runs (9th).[5][27][54] Some believed Ryan Vogelsong was a strong candidate for the 2011 award, with Sports Illustrated calling him the "leading candidate" in late June.[55] Rob Neyer said Vogelsong was "robbed" of the award.[56]
2012 Posey, BusterBuster Posey San Francisco Giants Catcher/First baseman Posey suffered a fractured fibula and torn ligaments in his ankle after a home-plate collision with Florida Marlins outfielder Scott Cousins on May 25, 2011. He had surgery to repair the damage and did not play at all for the rest of the 2011 season. In 2012, Posey returned to win the National League batting title with a .336 average, and also hit 24 home runs with 103 runs batted in while splitting time between catcher and first base for the 2012 World Series champion Giants. In addition to being named Comeback Player of the Year, he was also named NL MVP after the end of the 2012 season.[57][58]
2013 Liriano, FranciscoFrancisco Liriano Pittsburgh Pirates Starting pitcher In 2012, Liriano struggled with the Minnesota Twins, recording a 5.31 ERA for the team. By July, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox, where he continued to underwhelm. He eventually was removed from the White Sox' starting rotation in September. After joining the Pirates in the offseason, in 2013, Liriano had one of his best seasons, finishing with a 3.02 ERA, 16–8 record, and 163 strikeouts in 161 innings pitched, helping Pittsburgh make the postseason for the first time since 1992.[36] Having previously won the award with the Twins in 2010, Liriano became the first player to win the award twice, as well as the only player to have won the award in both leagues.
2014 McGehee, CaseyCasey McGehee Miami Marlins Third baseman McGehee was a journeyman coming into 2014, having played with four Major League teams from 2008 to 2012 and in Japan in 2013. He established himself as a regular in 2014, playing 160 games for the Marlins and posting a .287 batting average.
2015 Harvey, MattMatt Harvey New York Mets Starting pitcher Harvey started the 2013 All-Star Game for the National League, but missed the entire 2014 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow. He returned in 2015 to make 29 starts for the NL champion Mets, going 13–8 with 188 strikeouts. His 2.71 ERA was good for sixth on the Senior Circuit. He led the club in innings pitched.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Major League Baseball, Pfizer announce the "Major League Baseball Comeback Player of the Year Award Presented by Viagra (sildenafil citrate)"" (Press release). Major League Baseball. August 24, 2005. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 Newman, Mark (October 7, 2006). "Nomar, Thome nab Comeback honors". Major League Baseball. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  3. ↑ "Pena, Young win 2007 MLB Comeback Player of the Year Awards" (Press release). Major League Baseball. October 2, 2007. Retrieved October 22, 2009.
  4. ↑ "Carpenter, Hill win 2009 MLB Comeback Player of the Year Awards" (Press release). Major League Baseball. October 5, 2009. Retrieved October 22, 2009.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Berkman, Ellsbury earn Comeback awards". Major League Baseball. October 13, 2011. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
  6. 1 2 Leach, Matthew (October 5, 2009). "Carpenter earns NL Comeback nod". Major League Baseball. Retrieved October 5, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Yankees give up three players in deal". ESPN. December 14, 2003. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  8. 1 2 3 "Griffey, Giambi named comeback players of '05". ESPN Internet Ventures. October 6, 2005. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  9. 1 2 "Jason Giambi Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Giambi, Griffey Jr. win 2005 Major League Baseball Comeback Player of the Year Award presented by Viagra (sildenafil citrate)" (Press release). Major League Baseball. October 6, 2005. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  11. ↑ "White Sox send Rowand to Phils for Thome". ESPN. November 25, 2005. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  12. 1 2 "Jim Thome Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  13. 1 2 "Carlos Pena Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 23, 2009.
  14. ↑ "Carlos Pena Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 23, 2009.
  15. ↑ Chastain, Bill (October 26, 2007). "Pena honored as AL comeback player". Major League Baseball. Retrieved September 23, 2009.
  16. ↑ Chastain, Bill (November 9, 2007). "Pena wins Rays' first Silver Slugger". Major League Baseball. Retrieved September 23, 2009.
  17. ↑ Castrovince, Anthony (September 30, 2008). "Tribe's Lee earns AL Comeback honor". Major League Baseball. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
  18. ↑ Castrovince, Anthony (November 13, 2008). "Lee wins 2008 AL Cy Young Award". Major League Baseball. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
  19. 1 2 3 Bastian, Jordan (October 5, 2009). "Hill named AL Comeback Player of Year". Major League Baseball. Retrieved October 5, 2009.
  20. ↑ "Aaron Hill 2008 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved October 5, 2009.
  21. ↑ "Aaron Hill Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved October 5, 2009.
  22. ↑ "2009 Silver Slugger teams announced". Major League Baseball. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  23. 1 2 "Hudson, Liriano win comeback player awards". The Associated Press. October 5, 2010. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Minnesota Twins 2009 Team Transactions: Trades, DL, Free Agents and Callups". ESPN. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
  25. ↑ "2010 Minnesota Twins Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
  26. ↑ "Francisco Liriano Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
  27. 1 2 3 "Lane Berkman, Jacoby Ellsbury win". ESPN.com. October 13, 2011. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
  28. ↑ "Rodney is Comeback, Delivery Man awards winner — Veteran re-establishes himself as a closer with Rays, sets ERA record for reliever". MLB.com. October 19, 2012. Retrieved December 28, 2012.
  29. ↑ Feinsand, Mark (May 4, 2012). "Mariano Rivera suffers torn ACL in right knee shagging flies, will miss rest of 2012 season". Daily News. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  30. 1 2 Didtler, Mark (March 9, 2013). "Mariano Rivera To Retire After 2013 Yankees Season". The Huffington Post. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  31. ↑ Verducci, Tom (May 4, 2012). "Rivera's storied career may be over after suffering torn ACL in BP". SI.com. Time Inc. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
  32. ↑ Hoch, Bryan (February 20, 2012). "Rivera strongly implies this will be final season". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  33. ↑ Matthews, Wallace (May 4, 2012). "Mariano Rivera says he'll be back". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
  34. ↑ Bloom, Barry M. (June 12, 2012). "Mo pleased after undergoing surgery". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  35. ↑ "Mariano Rivera Stats". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  36. 1 2 "Francisco Liriano, Mariano Rivera win 2013 MLB Comeback Player of the Year Awards" (Press release). Major League Baseball. November 4, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
  37. ↑ http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10943389/mlb-mariners-pitcher-chris-young-battles-back
  38. 1 2 "Ken Griffey Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  39. ↑ "Trainer: Surgery ultimately up to Garciaparra". ESPN. April 22, 2005. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  40. ↑ "Nomar confident he can play first, stay healthy". ESPN. December 20, 2005. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  41. ↑ "Nomar Garciaparra Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  42. ↑ LaPointe, Joe (June 28, 2007). "Young Hopes to Show Others How to Learn From Mistakes". New York Times. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  43. 1 2 "Dmitri Young Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  44. ↑ Ladson, Bill (October 26, 2007). "Young honored by Players Association". Major League Baseball. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  45. ↑ "Brad Lidge | Baseball Prospectus". Baseball Prospectus. Prospectus Entertainment Ventures. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
  46. 1 2 Mandel, Ken (September 30, 2008). "Lidge nabs NL Comeback honors". Major League Baseball. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
  47. ↑ "Brad Lidge Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  48. ↑ Horan, Keith (October 27, 2008). "Lidge named Delivery Man of the Year". Major League Baseball. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
  49. ↑ "Rookie of the Year Awards & Rolaids Relief Award Winners". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
  50. ↑ "Chris Carpenter Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved October 5, 2009.
  51. ↑ "2009 National League Standard Pitching". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved October 5, 2009.
  52. ↑ "Tim Hudson Stats, News, Photos - Atlanta Braves - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
  53. 1 2 "Tim Hudson Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
  54. 1 2 "Lance Berkman Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
  55. ↑ Killion, Ann (June 28, 2011). "Full circle: Giants' Ryan Vogelsong goes from flameout to team's ace". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
  56. ↑ Neyer, Rob (October 13, 2011). "Jacoby Ellsbury Wins, Ryan Vogelsong Robbed". SB Nation. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
  57. ↑ "Posey named NL Comeback Player of Year — Giants catcher recovers from leg injuries, wins batting title, leads team to NL West flag". MLB.com. October 19, 2012. Retrieved December 28, 2012.
  58. ↑ "Buster Posey named NL MVP". ESPN MLB. November 15, 2012. Retrieved December 28, 2012.

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