Red Sox rookіe relіever nаmed 2024 Tony Conіglіаro Awаrd wіnner

Red Sox reliever Cam Booser has been named the 2024 Tony Conigliaro Award recipient.

Red Sox relief pitcher Cam Booser throws in the sixth inning against the Cardinals on May 17. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)AP

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).

Liam Hendriks was the 2023 winner as a member of the White Sox before signing with Boston in February.

Booser, who decided to retire in November 2017, overcame alcohol abuse and several injuries, including a broken back sustained when he was hit by a car.

He worked as a carpenter and in construction while also coaching baseball at a facility in Washington after retiring. He began throwing off a mound again during the COVID pandemic in 2020 and eventually came out of retirement to play Indy Ball. He signed a minor league contract with Boston on Feb. 6, 2023, and pitched for Triple-A Worcester that season.

He began 2024 back at Worcester before making his MLB debut April 19. He posted a 3.38 ERA in 43 outings (42 ⅔ innings) for Boston.

“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,” Booser said in a press release sent out by the Red Sox. “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.”

The award was first handed out in 1990 to Royals’ Jim Eisenreich. It is given to a “Major Leaguer who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination, and courage that were trademarks of Tony C,” according to the press release.