Tony Conigliaro

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Anthony Richard Conigliaro (January 7, 1945 - February 24, 1990), nicknamed "Tony C" and "Conig",^[1][2] was a Major League Baseball outfielder and right-handed batter who played for the Boston Red Sox (1964-67, 1969-1970, 1975) and California Angels (1971). He was born in Revere, Massachusetts and was a 1962 graduate of St. Mary's High School (Lynn, Massachusetts).

[edit] Baseball career

In his 1964 rookie season, Conigliaro batted .290 with 24 home runs and 52 RBI in 111 games, but broke his arm in August. Tony Oliva won American League Rookie of the Year honors.

In his 1965 sophomore season, Conigliaro led the league in home runs (32).

He was selected for the All-Star Game in 1967. In that season, at age 22, he became the youngest player to reach a career total of 100 home runs.^[3]

On August 18, 1967, the Red Sox were playing the Angels at Fenway Park. Conigliaro, batting against Jack Hamilton, was hit by a pitch on his left cheekbone, and was carried off the field on a stretcher. He sustained a broken cheekbone and severe damage to his left retina. The batting helmet he was wearing did not have the protective ear-flap that has since become standard.

A year and a half later, Conigliaro made a remarkable return, hitting 20 homers with 82 RBI in 141 games, earning Comeback Player of the Year honors. In 1970, he reached career-high numbers in HRs (36) and RBI (116). After a stint with the Angels in 1971, he returned to the Red Sox briefly in 1975, but was forced to retire because his eyesight had been permanently damaged.

Conigliaro batted .267 with 162 home runs and 501 RBI during his 802-game Red Sox career. With the Angels, he hit .222, 4, 15, in 74 games. He holds the MLB record for most home runs (25) hit by a teenage player.

[edit] Final years

On January 3, 1982 Conigliaro, in Boston to interview for a broadcasting position, suffered a heart attack while being driven to the airport by his brother Billy. Shortly thereafter, he suffered a stroke and lapsed into a coma. Conigliaro remained in basically a vegetative state until his death more than 8 years later. In February, 1990 he died in Salem, Massachusetts at the age of 45. In commemoration, the Red Sox wore black armbands that season.

Currently, the Tony Conigliaro Award is given annually to the player who best overcomes an obstacle and continues to thrive through the adversity.

[edit] Conigliaro's Corner

For the start of the 2007 season, Red Sox ownership added a new 200-seat bleacher section on the right field roof, providing an additional 16,000 available tickets for the season.^[4] It was named "Conigliaro's Corner" in honor of Tony Conigliaro. The seats are being marketed specifically towards families.^[4] As of May 2007, the section is reserved for Red Sox Nation members on Saturdays and Red Sox Kid Nation members on Sundays.^[4]

[edit] Trivia

Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

In the film Fever Pitch, Ben Wrightman (Jimmy Fallon) and his friends attempt to explain the Curse of the Bambino to his new girlfriend, Lindsay Meeks (Drew Barrymore). Al Waterman (Jack Kehler) begins the litany, telling her that "Tony C, best young ballplayer ever" was a superstar at 22, got beaned, and was "finished at 26."

Conigliaro's alma mater, St. Mary's (in Lynn, MA) recently renovated their campus. The new gymnasium has been named in his honor.

Conigliaro is interred in Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden, Massachusetts.^[5]

[edit] Bibliography

• Seeing It Through, Macmillan, 1970. (With Jack Zanger.)

[edit] See also

• Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame
• Top 500 home run hitters of all time
• List of Major League Baseball home run champions

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Tony Conigliaro at:
  • Baseball Library
  • Baseball Reference
• "Tony C." by David Nevard
• Tony Conigliaro.Com