Adam Dunn named American League Comeback Player of the Year by the Sporting News

Chicago White Sox first baseman/designated hitter Adam Dunn has been named The Sporting News American League Comeback Player of the Year.

Dunn, 32, batted .204 (110-539) with 41 home runs, 96 RBI, 105 walks and 87 runs scored in 151 games with the White Sox in 2012.  He increased his totals in every category from 2011, when he hit .159 (66-415) with 11 homers, 42 RBI, 36 runs scored and 75 walks in 122 games. 

The 6-foot-6, 285-pound Dunn led the major leagues in walks this season and ranked among the American League leaders in pitches per plate appearance (1st, 4.43), home run ratio (3rd, 13.15), home runs (5th) and RBI ratio (7th, 5.61).  His 41 homers tied for sixth-most in White Sox history and were the second-highest total by a Sox left-hander behind Jim Thome’s 42 in 1996.

“We had a number of guys mentioned throughout the season as candidates for this award, which is gratifying for us as a coaching staff,” said White Sox Manager Robin Ventura.  “Adam is one of the best clubhouse guys I have been around, and it’s nice to see that his hard work paid off.  He is deserving of the honor.” 

Dunn was named to his second career All-Star Team (2002 with Cincinnati), recorded his 1,000th career RBI on August 13 at Toronto and hit his 400th career home run on August 18 at Kansas City.  Eighteen of his 41 home runs either tied the game or gave the Sox the lead, and he hit a career-high 15 off left-handers (none in 2011).

Since its inception in 1965, Dunn is the fifth White Sox player to be named AL Comeback Player of the Year by The Sporting News, joining Thome (2006), Paul Konerko (2004), Frank Thomas (2000) and Bo Jackson (1993).