Tony Conigliaro

The story of Tony Conigliaro is one of the most tragic in baseball, as a legitimate Hall of Fame talent was cut down in his prime by a brutal injury. The ultimate "what if?" player, Conigliaro's legacy should not be forgotten, but remembered with an appropriate mixture of both admiration and remorse. 
    Anthony Richard Conigliaro debuted for the Red Sox on April 16, 1964, barely 19 years old. He hit a home run in his first at bat at Fenway Park and ended the season with 24 homers, the all-time record for a teenager. The next year, 20-year-old Conigliaro led the AL with 32 home runs, and on July 23, 1967, at the age of 22 years, six months, and 18 days, he became the youngest player in league history to reach 100 career homers, belting numbers 100 and 101 against the Indians. A phenom through and through, Tony C was the face of the Red Sox and had a very bright future ahead of him. 

    On August 18, 1967, Conigliaro's career took an unexpected turn that ended up derailing his entire life. In a game against the Angels, Conigliaro was struck in the face by a fastball, knocking him to the ground. He was wearing a batting helmet, but it didn't have an earflap, so the pitch caused significant damage to his left eye and cheekbone. Unfortunately, the injury cost him the rest of the 1967 season and all of 1968. 

    As Conigliaro slowly healed, he discovered that the sight in his left eye was deteriorating. Determined to get back into baseball, he tried his hand at pitching, but to no avail. Despite the difficulties his vision caused, he worked hard to regain his batting stroke, and little by little began to make progress. 

    Conigliaro returned to the Red Sox in 1969 and made the club out of spring training. In his first game back, he hit a home run in extra-innings. He finished the 1969 season with 20 home runs and 82 RBI's, making him an easy choice for the Comeback Player of the Year award. However, his comeback was just getting started. 

    Conigliaro enjoyed his best season at the plate in 1970, slugging 36 homers and driving in 116 runs. He combined with brother Billy to hit 54 home runs, the most ever by a brother duo on the same team. However, despite his results, Conigliaro's vision continued to struggle, and he also suffered from splitting headaches. Playing baseball used to come naturally to him; now he had to strain even to see the ball. Aware of this fact, on October 11, 1970, the Red Sox traded their young star to none other than the Angels. 

    Conigliaro's 1971 season was a miserable one, as he suffered several injuries along with almost constant headaches. Away from the city he had called home his entire career, he simply wasn't the same. After batting .222 with four homers in 74 games, Tony C announced his retirement on July 9. 

    Despite taking three seasons off, during which his vision deteriorated further, Conigliaro made one last comeback attempt with the Red Sox in 1975. Still only 30 years old, he made the team out of spring training, and in his first at bat in nearly four years, he smacked a two-out single. Against all odds, Tony C was back, and his home crowd at Fenway gave him a standing ovation. Three days later, he hit his first home run of the season. However, all was not well. Conigliaro batted only .123 during his stint in Boston and was demoted in June. In August, he retired again, this time for good. He finished his MLB career with a .264 average and 166 home runs in 876 games. 

    Although Conigliaro didn't have the physical tools to continue playing, he still had a deep love for baseball. He got a couple of broadcasting jobs, and found a good opportunity as a Red Sox color commentator in 1982. He was offered an interview on January 7, his 37th birthday, which went very well. Conigliaro was all set to take on the role when he suffered a massive heart attack only two days later. Soon afterward, he suffered a stroke, which caused permanent brain damage. Instead of getting the job, Tony C was bedridden, and would be disabled for the rest of his life. He passed away on February 24, 1990, only 45 years old. That season, the Red Sox wore commemorative wristbands in his honor. 

    Tony Conigliaro's story is one of tragedy and unrealized potential. A Hall of Famer in the making, he was on track for many years of stardom in the American League and could have challenged the 500-homer milestone. Instead, one pitch caused his career to spiral, and he ended up passing away far too early. Despite all the hardships he endured, Conigliaro accomplished many great things, and was truly inspirational when he returned to baseball after his frightening injury. Although gone and often forgotten, Tony Conigliaro, the young Boston superstar, should be remembered positively by every baseball fan.