12/14/2018
Congratulations to Oakland A’s outfielder Stephen Piscotty, the recipient of the 2018 Tony Conigliaro Award. The 2018 Tony Conigliaro Award will be presented to Piscotty at the 80th annual Boston Baseball Writers’ Dinner on January 17, 2019 at the InterContinental Boston.
The Tony Conigliaro Award is awarded to a “Major Leaguer who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination, and courage that were trademarks of Tony C.”
“I am deeply honored to receive the Tony Conigliaro Award,” Piscotty said. “To be included among this courageous group of past winners, and Tony himself, is a distinction I’ll always treasure. During my mother’s courageous battle with ALS, she fought hard to give my family lasting memories that we will treasure forever. She also worked tirelessly to bring more awareness to ALS so that we can hopefully one day find a cure. She is with me in accepting this award.”
Piscotty’s mother, Gretchen, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) In May 2017, when Piscotty was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. Following the 2017 season, the Cardinals traded Piscotty to the A’s, in large part to allow him to be closer to his mother, who was battling ALS at home in Pleasanton, Calif. Following the trade, Piscotty moved back home and lived with his parents and two younger brothers.
Gretchen Piscotty passed away on May 6, 2018, with her family by her side. After missing four games on the bereavement list, Piscotty returned to the A’s on May 15 and was in the starting lineup that night at Fenway Park. In his first at-bat of that game, he hit a home run over the Green Monster in the second inning, as Oakland beat Boston, 5-3. He went on to post career highs in home runs (27) and RBI (88) in 2018. In his final 106 games of the season Piscotty hit .286 with a .906 OPS, helping to lead the A’s to their first postseason appearance since 2014.
The Tony Conigliaro Award has been given every year since 1990 in memory of the former Red Sox outfielder, whose career was tragically shortened by a beanball in 1967 and whose life ended in 1990 at the age of 45. Voting for the award was conducted by an 18-person committee of media members, Major League Baseball executives, Red Sox officials, fan representatives, and Conigliaro’s brothers, Richie and Billy.
To purchase tickets to the Boston Baseball Writers’ dinner, please visit www.sportsmuseum.org or call (617) 624-1231.
