The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award is the oldest of three annual awards in Major League Baseball given to one player in each league who has reemerged as a star in that season. It was established in . The winner in each league is selected by the TSN editorial staff.
In , Major League Baseball officially sponsored its own Comeback Player of the Year Award for the first time. TSN and MLB honored the same players in 2005—Ken Griffey Jr. in the National League and Jason Giambi in the American League. The Players Choice Awards, awarded by the Major League Baseball Players Association, also began a Comeback Player honor in 1992.
Listed below are the players honored with the TSN award by year, name, team and league.
Honorees
YearAmerican LeagueNational LeagueWinnerTeamWinnerTeamNorm Cash Detroit TigersVern LawPittsburgh PiratesBoog Powell Baltimore OriolesPhil ReganLos Angeles DodgersDean ChanceMinnesota TwinsMike McCormickSan Francisco GiantsKen HarrelsonBoston Red SoxAlex JohnsonCincinnati RedsTony ConigliaroBoston Red SoxTommie AgeeNew York MetsClyde WrightCalifornia AngelsJim HickmanChicago CubsNorm Cash Detroit TigersAl DowningLos Angeles DodgersLuis TiantBoston Red SoxBobby TolanCincinnati RedsJohn HillerDetroit TigersDavey JohnsonAtlanta BravesFerguson JenkinsTexas RangersJimmy WynnLos Angeles DodgersBoog Powell Cleveland IndiansRandy JonesSan Diego PadresDock EllisNew York YankeesTommy JohnLos Angeles DodgersEric SoderholmChicago White SoxWillie McCoveySan Francisco GiantsMike CaldwellMilwaukee BrewersWillie StargellPittsburgh PiratesWillie HortonSeattle MarinersLou BrockSt. Louis CardinalsMatt KeoughOakland AthleticsJerry ReussLos Angeles DodgersRichie ZiskSeattle MarinersBob KnepperHouston AstrosAndre ThorntonCleveland IndiansJoe MorganSan Francisco GiantsAlan TrammellDetroit TigersJohn DennyPhiladelphia PhilliesDave KingmanOakland AthleticsJoaquín AndújarSt. Louis CardinalsGorman ThomasSeattle MarinersRick ReuschelPittsburgh PiratesJohn CandelariaCalifornia AngelsRay KnightNew York MetsBret Saberhagen Kansas City RoyalsRick Sutcliffe Chicago CubsStorm DavisOakland AthleticsTim LearyLos Angeles DodgersBert BlylevenCalifornia AngelsLonnie SmithAtlanta BravesDave WinfieldCalifornia AngelsJohn TudorSt. Louis CardinalsJosé GuzmánTexas RangersTerry PendletonAtlanta BravesRick Sutcliffe Baltimore OriolesGary SheffieldSan Diego PadresBo JacksonChicago White SoxAndrés Galarraga Colorado RockiesJosé CansecoTexas RangersTim WallachLos Angeles DodgersTim WakefieldBoston Red SoxRon GantCincinnati RedsKevin ElsterTexas RangersEric DavisCincinnati RedsDavid JusticeCleveland IndiansDarren Daulton Philadelphia Phillies / Florida MarlinsBret Saberhagen Boston Red SoxGreg VaughnSan Diego PadresJohn JahaOakland AthleticsRickey HendersonNew York MetsFrank ThomasChicago White SoxAndrés Galarraga Atlanta BravesRubén SierraTexas RangersMatt MorrisSt. Louis CardinalsTim SalmonAnaheim AngelsMike LieberthalPhiladelphia PhilliesGil MecheSeattle MarinersJavy LópezAtlanta BravesPaul KonerkoChicago White SoxChris Carpenter St. Louis CardinalsJason GiambiNew York YankeesKen Griffey Jr.Cincinnati RedsJim ThomeChicago White SoxNomar GarciaparraLos Angeles DodgersCarlos PeñaTampa Bay Devil RaysDmitri YoungWashington NationalsCliff LeeCleveland IndiansFernando TatísNew York MetsAaron HillToronto Blue JaysChris Carpenter St. Louis CardinalsVladimir GuerreroTexas RangersTim HudsonAtlanta BravesJacoby EllsburyBoston Red SoxLance BerkmanSt. Louis CardinalsAdam DunnChicago White SoxBuster Posey San Francisco GiantsMariano RiveraNew York YankeesFrancisco LirianoPittsburgh PiratesChris YoungSeattle MarinersCasey McGeheeMiami MarlinsPrince FielderTexas RangersMatt HarveyNew York MetsMark TrumboBaltimore OriolesJosé FernándezMiami MarlinsMike MoustakasKansas City RoyalsGreg HollandColorado RockiesDavid PriceBoston Red SoxMatt KempLos Angeles DodgersHunter PenceTexas RangersJosh DonaldsonAtlanta BravesCarlos CarrascoCleveland IndiansDaniel BardColorado RockiesTrey ManciniBaltimore OriolesBuster Posey San Francisco GiantsJustin VerlanderHouston AstrosBrandon DruryCincinnati Reds / San Diego PadresTyler GlasnowTampa Bay RaysCody BellingerChicago CubsVladimir Guerrero Jr.Toronto Blue JaysChris SaleAtlanta Braves
Notes The only players to be named twice in the American League are Norm Cash, Boog Powell and Bret Saberhagen. The only players to be named twice in the National League are Andrés Galarraga, Chris Carpenter and Buster Posey. The only player to be named in both leagues is Rick Sutcliffe. The only player to be named posthumously is José Fernández; he died in a boating accident on September 25, 2016.
See also Baseball awards List of MLB awards TSN Player of the Year TSN Pitcher of the Year TSN Rookie of the Year SN Reliever of the Year TSN Manager of the Year TSN Executive of the Year
References