Oakland A's outfielder Stephen Piscotty has won the 2018 Tony Conigliaro Award, which honors a "Major Leaguer who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination, and courage that were trademarks of Tony C."
Stephen's mother, Gretchen, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2017 while Stephen was with the St. Louis Cardinals. Stephen joined his hometown Oakland Athletics in an offseason trade, allowing him to move home and live with his mother and the rest of the Piscotty family. Gretchen passed away in May, surrounded by loved ones at the family home in Pleasanton, Calif.
As the A's left for an East Coast road trip, Stephen stayed home for three days to mourn the loss of his mother with his family and closest friends. When he rejoined the club in Boston, he hit a home run over the Green Monster in his first at-bat, sparking a four-plus-month run that culminated in the best season of his career. Setting career-highs in home runs (27), RBI (88), and WAR (3.0), Stephen, who received the 2018 BBWAA Bill Rigney Good Guy Award, overcame personal tragedy to help propel the Athletics to their first postseason appearance since 2014.
"I am deeply honored to receive the Tony Conigliaro Award," Piscotty said. "To be included among this courageous group of past winners, and Tony himself, is a distinction I'll always treasure. During my mother's courageous battle with ALS, she fought hard to give my family lasting memories that we will treasure forever. She also worked tirelessly to bring more awareness to ALS so that we can hopefully one day find a cure. She is with me in accepting this award."
The Tony Conigliaro 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. Awarded in a vote conducted by an 18-person committee of media members, Major League Baseball executives, Red Sox officials, fan representatives, and Conigliaro's brothers, Richie and Billy, the award will be presented at the 80th annual Boston Baseball Writers' dinner co-hosted by the Boston chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America and the Sports Museum. The dinner is scheduled to be held January 17, 2019, at the InterContinental Boston.
Piscotty is the second Athletics player to win the Tony Conigliaro Award (Jim Mecir, 2003).
Tony Conigliaro Award recipients:
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