Fielder's comeback earns Players Choice Award

ARLINGTON -- Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder has captured another Comeback Player of the Year Award.

Fielder won the American League honor in the Players Choice Awards, selected by a vote of Major League players unveiled on Monday night. He previously was named the Sporting News and Major League Baseball AL Comeback Player of the Year this offseason.

"It's awesome," Fielder said. "Really appreciate the fact the players award this, and it means a lot."

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Fielder earned the award after returning from season-ending neck surgery in 2014 to hit .305 with 23 home runs and 98 RBIs. He had a .378 on-base percentage and a .463 slugging percentage. He was third in the league in hits (187), sixth in hitting and ninth in RBIs, helping the Rangers win the AL West.

Acquired from Detroit on Nov. 20, 2013, Fielder played in just 42 games for the Rangers in 2014, hitting .247 with three home runs and 16 RBIs. His last game was on May 16 before undergoing surgery May 27 for a cervical fusion of the C5-C6 disks in his neck.

"There was a little doubt how I might do and feel," Fielder said. "There is every year, then get your first hit or homer, 'OK, I can still do this.' There definitely was a little doubt here and there.

"It's very important to me [to play every day]. I love playing, and to be honest, they pay me a lot, and feel I should be out there playing if I'm not hurt and nothing's broken."