I remember when it was announced that Rocco Baldelli was diagnosed with mitochondrial disorder at the beginning of the 2008 season. It was sad. Here you had a dude who just could never stay healthy. He wasn't just sitting out and gathering paychecks without attempting to come back and play. He was just a guy with miserable fortunes when it came to staying healthy. After the latest diagnosis, it was thought his career was over. Instead, he fought back and got back on the field for 28 regular season games and eight postseason games -- he even hit two home runs in only 20 postseason at-bats.
For these and many more inspirational achievements this season, Rocco Baldelli has won the Tony Conigliaro Award. The award is given to a player who has "overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination, and courage." You get it, just like the namesake of the award, who never got to scratch the surface of his enormous potential due to having his face caved in by a pitch at age 23.
Some past winners of the award who battled notable adversity include Jim Eisenreich, Dickie Thon, Jim Abbott, Eric Davis, Tony Saunders, and Jon Lester -- last season's winner.
