Colorado Rockies pitcher Daniel Bard wins 2020 Tony Conigliaro Award

BOSTON, MA—Colorado Rockies pitcher Daniel Bard has been selected as the recipient of the 2020 Tony Conigliaro Award. The award has been given every year since 1990 in memory of the former Red Sox outfielder, whose career was tragically shortened by a beanball in 1967 and whose life ended in 1990 at the age of 45. It is awarded to a “Major Leaguer who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination, and courage that were trademarks of Tony C.”

Voting was conducted by a 15-person committee comprised of media members, Major League Baseball executives, Red Sox officials, and Conigliaro’s brothers, Richie and Billy.

“From my days playing in Boston, I remember how special this award is,” Bard said. “Not only because of Tony’s story and the incredible obstacles he had to overcome, but I also remember the list of names of all the great players who have won previously. I am grateful to those who voted for me and to the New England baseball community for their support over the years. I am honored to be chosen as this year’s recipient.”

Selected by the Red Sox in the first round of the 2006 June Draft (28th overall), Bard made his Major League debut three years later and was one of the game’s top relief pitchers from 2009-11. In those three seasons, he made 192 relief appearances and posted a 2.88 ERA with a 1.06 WHIP, .190 opponent batting average, and 213 strikeouts. He recorded a 1.93 ERA in 2010, and from May 27-July 31 in 2011 he set a Red Sox record by allowing zero runs in 25 consecutive outings, since surpassed only by Koji Uehara (27 in 2013). Bard is still the only Red Sox pitcher with as many as 30 holds in a season, recording 32 in 2010 and 34 in 2011.

Bard’s struggles on the mound began in September 2011 and continued during the 2012 season, when he posted a 6.22 ERA with more walks (43) than strikeouts (38) at the major league level, earning a demotion to Triple-A Pawtucket. He spent most of the 2013 season in the minor leagues but missed more than three months due to an abdominal strain. From 2014-17, Bard pitched in only 23 games, all at the minor league level as he spent time in the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, Saint Louis Cardinals, and New York Mets organizations. In those 23 games, he posted a 24.23 ERA (35 ER/13.0 IP) with 46 walks and nine strikeouts.

Following the 2017 season, Bard retired from baseball. He then served as a minor league mentor (2018) and player mentor (2019) with the Arizona Diamondbacks, helping players cope with anxiety and stress. In February 2020, Bard began a comeback attempt when he pitched in front of scouts at an Arizona high school. On February 21, he signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies with an invitation to spring training. At 35 years old, Bard made the Rockies’ Opening Day roster and spent the entire 2020 season in the major leagues, going 4-2 with six saves, a 3.65 ERA (10 ER/24.2 IP), 27 strikeouts, and 10 walks. When he made his season debut on July 25, it had been more than seven years since he last pitched in the majors.

Born in Houston, TX, Bard pitched for the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2005. His younger brother, Luke, was selected by the Red Sox in the 16th round of the 2009 June Draft but did not sign. His grandfather, Fran O’Brien, coached baseball at Stonehill College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, College of the Holy Cross, and Brandeis University. Bard and his wife, Adair, reside in South Carolina with their three children, Davis, Sykes, and Campbell.

About Tony Conigliaro

A native of Swampscott, MA, Conigliaro hit a home run in his first at-bat at Fenway Park in 1964 at only 19 years old. A year later, he became the youngest player to lead his league in home runs when he hit 32 in 1965, his second full season in the big leagues. He also became the youngest American League player to reach 100 home runs when he hit number 100 at 22 years and 197 days old, just 65 days older than the major league record holder, Mel Ott (22 years, 132 days).

Conigliaro’s early promise of greatness went unfulfilled after he was struck in the face by a pitch on August 18, 1967. The pitch fractured his left cheekbone, dislocated his jaw, and severely damaged the retina in his left eye. He missed all of the 1968 season, but returned to play two more years in Boston, hitting a career-high 36 home runs for the Sox in 1970, when he also drove in 116 runs. He was traded after the season to the Angels, but declining vision led him to announce his retirement in 1971. He attempted another comeback for the Red Sox in 1975, but ended his career after playing in 21 major league games.

Conigliaro suffered a massive heart attack in 1982, and died eight years later at the age of 45.

Tony Conigliaro Award recipients:

2020—Daniel Bard, Rockies

2019—Rich Hill, Dodgers

2018—Stephen Piscotty, Athletics

2017—Chad Bettis, Rockies

2016—Yangervis Solarte, Padres

2015—Mitch Harris, Cardinals

2014—Wilson Ramos, Nationals

2013—John Lackey, Red Sox

2012—R.A. Dickey, Mets

2011—Tony Campana, Cubs

2010—Joaquin Benoit, Rays

2009—Chris Carpenter, Cardinals

2008—Rocco Baldelli, Rays

2007—Jon Lester, Red Sox

2006—Freddy Sanchez, Pirates

2005—Aaron Cook, Rockies

2004—Dewon Brazelton, Rays

2003—Jim Mecir, Athletics

2002—Jose Rijo, Reds

2001—Jason Johnson, Orioles; Graeme Lloyd, Expos

2000—Kent Mercker, Angels; Tony Saunders, Marlins

1999—Mike Lowell, Marlins

1998—Bret Saberhagen, Red Sox

1997—Eric Davis, Orioles

1996—Curtis Pride, Tigers

1995—Scott Radinsky, White Sox

1994—Mark Leiter, Angels

1993—Bo Jackson, White Sox

1992—Jim Abbott, Angels

1991—Dickie Thon, Phillies

1990—Jim Eisenreich, Royals