Major League Baseball Comeback Player of the Year Award

Last updated

Major League Baseball Comeback Player of the Year Award
Sport Baseball
League Major League Baseball
Awarded forPlayer who "re-emerged on the baseball field during a given season" in American League and National League
CountryUnited States, Canada
Presented byMajor League Baseball
History
First award2005
Most recent Cody Bellinger, NL
Liam Hendriks, AL

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.

Contents

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 (TSN honored Fernando Tatís, MLB honored Brad Lidge), 2010 AL (TSN honored Vladimir Guerrero, MLB honored Francisco Liriano), 2012 AL (TSN honored Adam Dunn, MLB honored Fernando Rodney), 2016 (TSN honored Jose Fernandez and Mark Trumbo, MLB honored Anthony Rendon and Rick Porcello), 2018 NL (TSN honored Matt Kemp, MLB honored Jonny Venters), 2019 AL (TSN honored Hunter Pence, MLB honored Carlos Carrasco), and 2020 AL (TSN honored Carrasco, MLB honored Salvador Pérez). Liriano and Posey are the only players to win the MLB award multiple times with Liriano being 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, with Posey also being named to the All-MLB Team. 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 first comeback season. Lee won the Cy Young Award in his winning season and Lidge won both the Rolaids Relief Man Award and Delivery Man of the Year Award the same year. Rodney was also named Delivery Man of the Year in his comeback 2012 season. The most recent winners are Cody Bellinger of the NL and Liam Hendriks of the AL.

American League winners

YearWinnerImageTeamPositionComeback
2005 Jason Giambi Giambino.jpg 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 Jim Thome Jim Thome 2008.jpg 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 Carlos Peña AAAA9945 Carlos Pena.jpg 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 Cliff Lee Cliff Lee Follows Through.jpg Cleveland Indians Starting pitcher Lee pitched 9713 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 22313 innings, went 22–3 with a 2.54 ERA, [17] and won the Cy Young Award. [18]
2009 Aaron Hill AARON HILL.jpg 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 Francisco Liriano Francisco Liriano on April 18, 2008.jpg 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 Jacoby Ellsbury JEllsbury.jpg 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 Fernando Rodney Fernando Rodney on May 11, 2012.jpg 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 second lowest in a single season by any pitcher in MLB history (min. 50 IP). [28]
2013 Mariano Rivera Mariano Rivera allison 7 29 07.jpg 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 Chris Young Chris Young Mariners 2014.jpg 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 tail end 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.[ citation needed ]
2015 Prince Fielder Prince Fielder on May 24, 2015.jpg 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.[ citation needed ]
2016 Rick Porcello Rick Porcello on April 24, 2015.jpg Boston Red Sox Starting pitcher Porcello ended 2015 with a 9–15 record and an ERA of 4.92. He pitched only 172 innings and had a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.92. In 2016, Porcello won the AL Cy Young Award going 22–4 with an ERA of 3.15 and pitching 223 innings, while leading the major leagues with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.91. [38]
2017 Mike Moustakas Mike Moustakas on May 25, 2012.jpg Kansas City Royals Third baseman In 2016, Moustakas only played in 27 games after tearing his ACL in a fielding collision with Alex Gordon. In 2017, he played in 148 games and batted .272, and hit a career-high 38 home runs.
2018 David Price 2016-10-10 Boston pitcher David Price warms up before Game 3 of ALDS 02.jpg Boston Red Sox Starting pitcher In 2017, Price made only 16 appearances (11 starts) due to elbow injuries, in which he was 6–3 with a 3.38 ERA. In 2018, he was 16–7 with a 3.58 ERA in 30 starts and was instrumental in Boston's eventual World Series championship. [39]
2019 Carlos Carrasco Carlos Carrasco on July 16, 2011.jpg Cleveland Indians Pitcher In 2019, Carrasco was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in early June and missed three months while undergoing treatment before returning to game action in September. [40]
2020 Salvador Pérez Salvador Perez on October 19, 2015.jpg Kansas City Royals Catcher Perez missed the entire 2019 season due to Tommy John Surgery. He also missed the start of "Summer Camp in July" – after testing positive for COVID-19 – and another three weeks during the season because of a lingering eye issue that caused blurred vision. He posted career highs in batting average (.333), slugging percentage (.633), and OPS (.986) while racking up 11 home runs and 32 RBIs in 37 games. [41]
2021 Trey Mancini Trey Mancini (33690221943) (cropped).jpg Baltimore Orioles Outfielder Mancini missed the entire 2020 season after being diagnosed with stage III colon cancer. After the season ended, Mancini announced he was cancer-free and returned to the Orioles. In 2021, he hit 21 home runs with 71 RBIs.
2022 Justin Verlander Justin Verlander (51005083107) (cropped).jpg Houston Astros Pitcher Verlander made one start in 2020 before being shut down and missing the remainder of the season, as well as all of the 2021 season due to Tommy John Surgery. After missing the better part of two years, Verlander posted an 18–4 record and a major league-leading 1.75 ERA, leading the Astros to a World Series championship and winning his third career Cy Young Award. [42]
2023 Liam Hendriks Liam Hendriks on the mound during a simulated game, July 19, 2023 (cropped).jpg Chicago White Sox Pitcher Hendriks was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodkin lymphoma in December 2022. He went through treatment in the off-season and returned to the mound on May 29. His 2023 season was cut short in August when he tore his UCL, which would require Tommy John Surgery. He finished the 2023 season with a 2–0 record with one save and a 5.40 ERA. [43]

National League winners

YearWinnerImageTeamPositionComeback
2005 Ken Griffey Jr. CIN Griffey Jr.jpg 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] [44] Griffey returned in 2005, batted .301, and hit 35 home runs (his most in a season since 2000). [44]
2006 Nomar Garciaparra NomarGarciaparra 20060604.jpg 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. [45] He did not play in another Major League game until August 5 [46] and appeared in only 62 games that season. [47] 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 Dmitri Young Nationals 6.2.07 Dmitri Young.jpg 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, [48] appearing in only 48 games in the 2006 season. [49] 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. [49] [50]
2008 Brad Lidge Brad Lidge phillies.jpg 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 Game 5 of the 2005 National League Championship Series. [51] [52] In 2008, Lidge had a 1.95 ERA and converted 41 saves in 41 save chances, [52] [53] winning both the Rolaids Relief Man Award and the Delivery Man of the Year Award. [54] [55] He would also convert all seven save opportunities in the postseason en route to winning the 2008 World Series.
2009 Chris Carpenter Chris carpenter 10 1 2009 7803.jpg St. Louis Cardinals Starting pitcher Carpenter experienced several 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 1513 in 2008. In 2009, however, Carpenter posted a 17–4 record over 19223 innings with a 2.24 earned run average (ERA), [56] the lowest ERA in the National League that year. [57]
2010 Tim Hudson Tim Hudson 2008.jpg 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 (22823, 4th), winning percentage (.654, 4th), ERA (2.83, 6th), and WHIP (1.15, 9th.) [23] [58] [59] Additionally, Hudson was named to the 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. [59]
2011 Lance Berkman Lance Berkman on June 28, 2011.jpg 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] [60] 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] [60] Some believed Ryan Vogelsong was a strong candidate for the 2011 award, with Sports Illustrated calling him the "leading candidate" in late June. [61] Rob Neyer said Vogelsong was "robbed" of the award. [62]
2012 Buster Posey Buster Posey (2011).jpg 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. [63] [64]
2013 Francisco Liriano Francisco Liriano on August 27, 2012.jpg 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 Casey McGehee Casey McGehee on June 13, 2012.jpg 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.[ citation needed ]
2015 Matt Harvey DSC 0163 Matt Harvey.jpg 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.
2016 Anthony Rendon Anthony Rendon (14430676940).jpg Washington Nationals Third baseman In 2014, Rendon finished fifth in NL MVP voting going .287/.351/.473 with 39 doubles, 21 HRs and 83 RBIs. In 2015, Rendon hit only .264/.344/.363 with just 16 doubles, 5 HRs, and 25 RBIs in just 355 plate appearances, dealing with a knee injury. However, Rendon remained healthy in 2017 and hit .270/.348/.450 with 38 doubles, 20 HRs and 85 RBIs. [38]
2017 Greg Holland Greg Holland on May 25, 2015.jpg Colorado Rockies Relief pitcher After missing all of 2016 recovering from Tommy John Surgery, Holland earned 41 saves in 2017, tied for the NL lead and helping the Rockies make the postseason. [65]
2018 Jonny Venters Jonny Venters Sept 18 2018.jpg Atlanta Braves Relief pitcher Venters had not played in MLB since 2012, subsequently having to undergo Tommy John surgery for the second and third times; in 2018, he was 5–2 with three saves and a 3.67 ERA. [39]
2019 Josh Donaldson Josh Donaldson (33639739158) (cropped).jpg Atlanta Braves Third baseman In 2018, Donaldson played in only 52 games due to injuries. He returned in 2019 to hit 37 home runs and record 94 RBI, helping lead the Braves to an NL East title. [40]
2020 Daniel Bard Daniel Bard on July 20, 2011.jpg Colorado Rockies Relief pitcher Bard had last pitched in the majors in the 2013 season and retired in 2017 due to control issues. He announced a comeback attempt in 2020 and was signed by the Rockies. He made the team's opening day roster and finished the season with a 4–2 record with six saves and a 3.65 ERA in 2423 innings. [41]
2021 Buster Posey Buster Posey in 2018 (cropped).jpg San Francisco Giants Catcher Posey earned NL Comeback Player honors after opting out of the shortened 2020 season. Despite winning the award and also being named to the All-MLB second team, Posey decided to retire after the 2021 season to spend more time with his family.
2022 Albert Pujols Albert Pujols on May 19, 2008.jpg St. Louis Cardinals Designated Hitter After being designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 and entering his final season at age 42, Pujols turned back the clock by hitting 24 home runs, 18 of which came in the second half of the season, and posting a .895 OPS with the Cardinals. Pujols also became the fourth player in Major League history to hit 700 career home runs. [42]
2023 Cody Bellinger Cody Bellinger (7883003) (cropped).jpg Chicago Cubs Outfielder / First baseman After winning the 2019 NL MVP for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Bellinger struggled for the final three years and the Dodgers non-tendered his contract making him a free agent. Signing with the Cubs in 2023 he finished the season with a slash line of .307/.356/.525, 26 home runs, and 97 RBI. [43]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Griffey Jr.</span> American baseball player (born 1969)

George Kenneth Griffey Jr., nicknamed "Junior" and "the Kid", is an American former professional baseball outfielder who played 22 years in Major League Baseball (MLB). He spent most of his career with the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds, along with a short stint with the Chicago White Sox. A member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, the first overall pick in the 1987 draft, and a 13-time All-Star, Griffey is one of the most prolific home run hitters in baseball history; his 630 home runs rank as the seventh-most in MLB history. Griffey was also an exceptional defender and won 10 Gold Glove Awards in center field. He is tied for the record of most consecutive games with a home run.

<i>Sporting News</i> Reliever of the Year Award Major League Baseball award

The Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award was an annual award presented to the best relief pitcher in each league in Major League Baseball (MLB). It was established in 1960 by The Sporting News (TSN) as the Fireman of the Year Award. At the time, no reliever had ever received a Cy Young Award vote. The Fireman of the Year Award originally recognized the reliever with the most combined saves and wins in each league in MLB. The magazine had started publishing the then-unofficial save statistic that same year. Later, a save was worth two points compared to one for a save in determining the winner. In 2001 the award was chosen based on consensus from TSN editors, and it was renamed to Reliever of the Year Award. The award was last issued in 2010 before being discontinued.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Albert Pujols</span> Dominican-American baseball player (born 1980)

José Alberto Pujols Alcántara is a Dominican-American former professional baseball first baseman and designated hitter. He played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim / Los Angeles Angels, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Nicknamed "the Machine", Pujols is considered to be one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad Lidge</span> American baseball player (born 1976)

Bradley Thomas Lidge, nicknamed "Lights Out", is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Lidge played 11 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), from 2002–2012. He played for the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, and Washington Nationals. As a relief pitcher Lidge saved 225 games during his career. He was a two-time All-Star, and in 2008 won the Delivery Man of the Year Award and the National League (NL) Rolaids Relief Man Award. Lidge is currently a host on SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio.

<i>Sporting News</i> Manager of the Year Award

The Sporting News Manager of the Year Award was established in 1936 by The Sporting News and was given annually to one manager in Major League Baseball. In 1986 it was expanded to honor one manager from each league. In 2021 the winners were Kevin Cash in the American League and Gabe Kapler in the National League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Major League Baseball All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award</span> Annual baseball award

The Major League Baseball All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award is an annual Major League Baseball (MLB) award that is presented to the most outstanding player in each year's MLB All-Star Game. Awarded each season since 1962, it was originally called the Arch Ward Memorial Award in honor of Arch Ward, the man who conceived of the All-Star Game in 1933. The award's name was changed to the Commissioner's Trophy in 1970, but this name change was reversed in 1985 when the World Series Trophy was renamed the Commissioner's Trophy. Finally, the trophy was renamed the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award in 2002, in honor of former Boston Red Sox player Ted Williams, who had died earlier that year. No award was presented for the 2002 All-Star Game, which ended in a tie. Thus, the Anaheim Angels' Garret Anderson was the first recipient of the newly named Ted Williams Award in 2003. The All-Star Game Most Valuable Player also receives a Chevrolet vehicle, choosing between two cars.

The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award is the oldest of three annual awards in Major League Baseball given to one player in each league who has reemerged as a star in that season. It was established in 1965. The winner in each league is selected by the TSN editorial staff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Francisco Liriano</span> Dominican baseball pitcher (born 1983)

Francisco Liriano Casillas is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros, and Detroit Tigers. Liriano was an MLB All-Star in 2006, and is a two-time winner of the MLB Comeback Player of the Year Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacoby Ellsbury</span> American baseball player (born 1983)

Jacoby McCabe Ellsbury is an American former professional baseball center fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox from 2007 through 2013 and then played for the New York Yankees from 2014 to 2017. An enrolled member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, Ellsbury is the first Native American of Navajo descent to play Major League Baseball.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Philadelphia Phillies season</span> Major League Baseball season

The Philadelphia Phillies' 2008 season was the 126th in the history of the franchise. The team finished with a regular season record of 92–70, first in the National League East. In the postseason, the Phillies won the World Series; this was the first major sports championship for Philadelphia since the 76ers swept the 1983 NBA Finals. During the season, they were managed by Charlie Manuel. To date, this is the most recent season the Phillies won the World Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buster Posey</span> American baseball player (born 1987)

Gerald Dempsey "Buster" Posey III is an American former professional baseball catcher. He spent his entire twelve-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the San Francisco Giants, from 2009 until his retirement at the conclusion of the 2021 season. In September 2022, Posey joined the Giants' ownership group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 World Series</span> 105th edition of Major League Baseballs championship series

The 2009 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2009 season. As the 105th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff contested between the Philadelphia Phillies, champions of the National League (NL) and defending World Series champions, and the New York Yankees, champions of the American League (AL). The Yankees defeated the Phillies, 4 games to 2, winning their 27th World Series championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game</span> Review of the game

The 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 82nd in-season exhibition game between the All-Stars of the National League (NL) and the American League (AL); the leagues composing Major League Baseball. The event was held on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, home of the National League Arizona Diamondbacks. The game ended in a 5–1 win for the National League, their second straight All-Star victory. It was the first MLB All-Star Game to be held in Arizona and the first in a National League Park to have a designated hitter.

The Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award is awarded by the Commissioner of Baseball, the chief executive of Major League Baseball (MLB), to a group or person who has made a "major impact on the sport" of baseball. It is not an annual award; rather, the Commissioner presents it at his discretion. The trophy is a gold baseball sitting atop a cylindrical silver base, created by Tiffany & Co. The award has been presented sixteen times: thirteen times to players, once to a team, and twice to a non-player. Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were the first to receive the award for their parts in the 1998 MLB home run record chase. The most recent recipient is Shohei Ohtani, who was honored in 2021 for being the first player in MLB history to be an All-Star as both a starting pitcher and a lead-off hitter in the 2021 All-Star Game and for completing a two-way season as a hitter and as a pitcher. The 2001 Seattle Mariners won the award as a team for posting a 116–46 record. Roberto Clemente, the 2006 awardee, is the only player to receive the award posthumously; his award was accepted by his wife, Vera.

The Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award is given annually to a Major League Baseball (MLB) player "whose on-field performance and contributions to his community inspire others to higher levels of achievement." The award was created by the Major League Baseball Players' Association (MLBPA) and was presented to the inaugural winner – Mark McGwire – in 1997 as the "Man of the Year Award". Three years later, it was renamed in honor of Marvin Miller, the first executive director of the MLBPA. The award forms part of the Players Choice Awards.

Major League Baseball (MLB) annually honored its best relief pitcher with the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Year Award from 2005 through 2013. It was initially part of a sponsorship agreement between MLB and package delivery company DHL Express; DHL's sponsorship ran from 2005 to 2010. There was also a Delivery Man of the Month Award. From its inception in 2005 through 2008, the award was given to a single reliever who was selected online by fans from a group of 10 finalists chosen by an MLB panel. The panel took sole responsibility to select the annual winner starting in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 San Francisco Giants season</span>

The 2021 San Francisco Giants season was the 139th season for the franchise in Major League Baseball, their 64th year in San Francisco, and their 22nd at Oracle Park. It was the Giants' second season under manager Gabe Kapler, who managed his first 162-game season with the club, and he led them to the best record in the league.

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. 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. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  13. 1 2 "Carlos Peña Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved September 23, 2009.
  14. "Carlos Peña Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-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. Retrieved October 5, 2009.
  21. "Aaron Hill Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 5, 2009.
  22. "2009 Silver Slugger teams announced". Major League Baseball. Retrieved December 6, 2009.
  23. 1 2 "Hudson, Liriano win comeback player awards". 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. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
  26. "Francisco Liriano Statistics and History". Baseball-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. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  33. Matthews, Wallace (May 4, 2012). "Mariano Rivera says he'll be back". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
  34. Bloom, Barry M. (June 12, 2012). "Mo pleased after undergoing surgery". MLB.com. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  35. "Mariano Rivera Stats". ESPN.com. 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. "Caple: Chris Young's second baseball act". ESPN.com. May 19, 2014.
  38. 1 2 "Call it a comeback: Porcello, Rendon honored". MLB.com.
  39. 1 2 "Price, Venters net Comeback Player Awards". Major League Baseball.
  40. 1 2 "Carrasco, Donaldson win MLB Comeback Player of Year awards". USA Today . December 4, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  41. 1 2 "Bard, Salvy win Comeback Players of Year". MLB.com.
  42. 1 2 "Pujols, Verlander add to legend with Comeback Player of the Year Award". MLB.com.
  43. 1 2 "Hendriks, Bellinger win Comeback Player of the Year Awards". MLB.com .
  44. 1 2 "Ken Griffey Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  45. "Trainer: Surgery ultimately up to Garciaparra". ESPN. April 22, 2005. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  46. "Nomar confident he can play first, stay healthy". ESPN. December 20, 2005. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  47. "Nomar Garciaparra Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  48. LaPointe, Joe (June 28, 2007). "Young Hopes to Show Others How to Learn From Mistakes". New York Times . Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  49. 1 2 "Dmitri Young Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  50. Ladson, Bill (October 26, 2007). "Young honored by Players Association". Major League Baseball . Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  51. "Brad Lidge | Baseball Prospectus". Baseball Prospectus . Prospectus Entertainment Ventures. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
  52. 1 2 Mandel, Ken (September 30, 2008). "Lidge nabs NL Comeback honors". Major League Baseball . Retrieved September 22, 2009.
  53. "Brad Lidge Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  54. Horan, Keith (October 27, 2008). "Lidge named Delivery Man of the Year". Major League Baseball . Retrieved September 22, 2009.
  55. "Rookie of the Year Awards & Rolaids Relief Award Winners". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
  56. "Chris Carpenter Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 5, 2009.
  57. "2009 National League Standard Pitching". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 5, 2009.
  58. "Tim Hudson Stats, News, Photos – Atlanta Braves – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
  59. 1 2 "Tim Hudson Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
  60. 1 2 "Lance Berkman Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
  61. Killion, Ann (June 28, 2011). "Full circle: Giants' Ryan Vogelsong goes from flameout to team's ace". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved October 13, 2011.
  62. Neyer, Rob (October 13, 2011). "Jacoby Ellsbury Wins, Ryan Vogelsong Robbed". SB Nation. Archived from the original on October 14, 2011. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
  63. "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.
  64. "Buster Posey named NL MVP". ESPN MLB. November 15, 2012. Retrieved December 28, 2012.
  65. "Holland declines $15M player option". MLB.com.