Red Sox announce Cam Booser as winner of 2024 Tony Conigliaro Award
BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox announced today that left-handed pitcher Cam Booser has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Tony Conigliaro Award.
The Tony Conigliaro Award, which recognizes a “Major Leaguer who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination, and courage that were trademarks of Tony C,” has been awarded every year since 1990. The former Red Sox outfielder, whose career was tragically shortened by a beanball in 1967, passed away in February of 1990 at the age of 45.
Voting was conducted by a 13-person committee comprised of Red Sox officials, Major League Baseball executives, media members, and a representative of the Conigliaro family. First-place votes were awarded to Booser (five), Kansas City Royals right-handed pitcher Lucas Erceg (four), Atlanta Braves left-handed pitcher Chris Sale (two), and Oakland A’s right-handed pitcher Mason Miller (two). Also receiving votes were Baltimore Orioles right-handed pitcher Albert Suárez and Cleveland Guardians left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd.
Booser joins Bret Saberhagen (1998), Jon Lester (2007), and John Lackey (2013) as the only Red Sox to earn the Tony Conigliaro Award.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Conigliaro family for their commitment to keeping Tony’s legacy alive and for believing that I deserve this award,” said Booser. “To have my name in the same conversation as Tony Conigliaro is something that I will always hold close. I would like to thank my family; without them I would not be the man I am today. I’d like to thank the Boston Red Sox for believing in me enough to give me an opportunity. I’d also like to thank the committee, the media members, and Major League Baseball—this is truly humbling.”
Booser retired from professional baseball in November of 2017 at only 25 years old after battling through alcohol abuse and a myriad of injuries, including a broken femur and broken vertebrae in high school; Tommy John surgery at Oregon State University; a torn labrum while in the Minnesota Twins’ minor league system; and a broken back when he was hit by a car while riding a bike during his recovery from the labrum tear.
During his time away from professional baseball, Booser joined a carpenters union and worked construction in Seattle. While working as a coach at a baseball training facility in Washington state, he began throwing off a mound in late 2020. Booser returned to baseball and pitched in independent leagues in 2021 before signing a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks in February of 2022. Released by Arizona in July of that year, Booser returned to the independent leagues. He signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox in February of 2023 and spent that entire season with Triple-A Worcester, making 48 relief appearances for the WooSox.
Booser began the 2024 season with Worcester but was selected to the Major League roster on April 19. He made his big league debut that night in Pittsburgh and recorded the final three outs of Boston’s 8-1 victory, including a strikeout of Andrew McCutchen. At 31 years and 351 days old, Booser was the oldest Red Sox player to make a Major League debut since Tommy Fine in 1947, excluding players who had previously played professionally in Japan. Booser went on to pitch in 43 games with the Red Sox in 2024, posting a 3.38 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 42.2 innings. He allowed zero runs in 15 consecutive games from June 6-July 27, Boston’s longest scoreless streak of the season.
In September, Booser was recognized by the Red Sox as the organization’s Lou Gorman Award winner. Created in 2011, the award is given annually to a Red Sox minor league player who has demonstrated dedication and perseverance in overcoming obstacles while working his way to the Major League team.
Booser is currently on Boston’s 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 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:
2024—Cam Booser, Red Sox
2023—Liam Hendriks, White Sox
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