Red Sox reliever Cam Booser named 2024 Tony Conigliaro Award winner
Red Sox rookie reliever Cam Booser has been named the 2024 Tony Conigliaro Award recipient.
The 32-year-old is the fourth Red Sox player to win the award, joining Bret Saberhagen (1998), Jon Lester (2007), and John Lackey (2013). Current Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks won the award last year while he was a member of the Chicago White Sox.
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.
“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 after winning the award. “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 handful 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.
While he was away from the game, Booser joined the carpenters union and worked construction in Seattle. He also coached at a baseball training facility in Washington State, where he began throwing off the mound in 2020. After playing Indy ball, he signed a minors pact with the Red Sox on Feb. 6, 2023, and was assigned to Triple-A Worcester.
Booser made his major league debut on April 19, where he posted a 3.38 ERA in 43 outings (42 2/3 innings) for Boston.
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.
