Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester was awarded the Tony Conigliaro Award, presented annually to a major league player who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage.
Just one year ago at this time, Lester was undergoing chemotherapy. Just a few months later, he was one of the first players at Ft. Myers for spring training.
Lester pitched in the minors to start the season then rejoined the Red Sox in July where he posted a 4-0 record with a 4.57 ERA. He was the winning pitcher in Game 4 of the World Series.
His teammate, Mike Lowell, won the award in 1999 after his battle with testicular cancer. Other winners of the award include Bo Jackson, Jim Abbott, Freddy Sanchez among numerous others.
Other players nominated were Dmitri Young of the Washington Nationals, Al Reyes of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Joe Borowski of the Cleveland Indians, Torii Hunter of the Minnesota Twins, Andy Phillips of the New York Yankees, Josh Hamilton of the Cincinnati Reds and Doug Brocail of the San Diego Padres.
Lester received the award in a press conference this afternoon at Fenway Park and will be honored by the Boston Baseball Writers’ Association at their annual dinner on January 17th. If you’re interested in attending the event, click here for more information.
