BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox announced today that first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 Tony Conigliaro Award. In addition, right-handed pitcher Jose Cuas has been named the 2022 Tony Conigliaro Award winner.

The Red Sox have recognized a Tony Conigliaro Award winner for 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 14-person committee comprised of media members, Major League Baseball executives, Red Sox officials, and Conigliaro’s brother, Rich.

“I am extremely honored to receive the 2021 Tony Conigliaro Award,” said Mancini. “I have become familiar with Tony C and his story over the years, and his resilience is something we should all strive to emulate. Thank you to everyone who voted for me, and I promise to honor Tony C through the way I play and treat others.”

“I am extremely honored to receive this award,” said Cuas. “This accomplishment is a significant milestone in my life. To see my name being mentioned next to Tony Conigliaro is truly a blessing.”

About Trey Mancini

Selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the eighth round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, Mancini made his Major League debut in 2016 before finishing third in 2017 American League Rookie of the Year voting. He hit at least 20 home runs in each of his first three full seasons (2017-19), and in 2019 he experienced career bests in home runs (35), RBI (97), runs (106), hits (175), doubles (38), walks (63), on-base percentage (.364), slugging percentage (.535), and OPS (.899). For his efforts, Mancini was named the Louis M. Hatter Most Valuable Oriole, given to the team’s best player as voted by the local media.

Mancini reported to Major League Spring Training camp in 2020, but at only 27 years old he was diagnosed with colon cancer. Six days after his diagnosis, he underwent surgery to remove a tumor. On March 18—his 28th birthday—doctors found that the cancer had spread to Mancini’s lymph nodes, and that he would require chemotherapy. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was forced to limit interactions with others at home and at the hospital. Every two weeks, from April to September, Mancini drove alone to and from his chemotherapy appointments. Though he maintained communication with his Orioles teammates, he was unable to visit them during the 2020 season.

Mancini resumed hitting in November 2020 but still had not regained complete feeling in his feet. In 2021, he arrived at Spring Training two weeks before pitchers and catchers were scheduled to report. On February 28, in his first Grapefruit League plate appearance of the year, he singled to center field. That season, Mancini went on to play in 147 games for the Orioles, batting .255 with 21 home runs, 33 doubles, 77 runs scored, and 71 RBI. He also participated in the Home Run Derby as part of the All-Star Game in Colorado, advancing to the final round against Pete Alonso. Following the season, Mancini became the first Orioles player ever to be named the AL’s Comeback Player of the Year.

About Jose Cuas

Selected by Milwaukee in the 11th round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Maryland, Cuas began his professional career as an infielder in the Brewers organization. After he hit .200 in his first three seasons (2015-17), the Brewers converted him to a pitcher. He struggled on the mound, posting an 8.38 ERA before being released by Milwaukee in July 2018, less than three months after the birth of his first child. He pitched for the Long Island Ducks in the independent Atlantic League in 2018, then in the off-season worked as a FedEx driver while living at home in Brooklyn. At night after work, he trained as a pitcher with his brother at a nearby park.

Cuas’s success with Long Island led to a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks in May 2019. He posted a 1.60 ERA in 26 relief appearances that season but was released a second time in May 2020 while his wife was pregnant with the couple’s second child during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ensuing off-season, Cuas pitched for Aguilas in the Dominican Winter League and then began the 2021 season with Long Island. In June 2021 he signed with the Kansas City Royals as a minor league free agent and made both his Double-A and Triple-A debuts, posting a 1.51 ERA in 27 outings.

After beginning the 2022 season at the Triple-A level, Cuas earned his first promotion to the Major Leagues and made his debut with Kansas City on May 31 at 27 years old, throwing a scoreless inning of relief in Cleveland. He recorded a 1.93 ERA in his first 18 big league outings and remained in the Royals bullpen for a majority of the season, going 4-2 with one save, 11 holds, and a 3.58 ERA in 37.2 innings spanning 47 appearances. Cuas allowed only two home runs on the season, an average of only 0.48 per 9.0 innings. He is currently on the Royals’ 40-man roster.

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:

2022—Jose Cuas, Royals

2021—Trey Mancini, Orioles

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