For one day, the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry was set aside to honor a courageous battle away from the field.
Yankees reliever Tim Hill — who overcame colon cancer before reaching the majors — was named the 2025 Tony Conigliaro Award winner, the Red Sox announced Tuesday.
The award, established in 1990, honors a “Major Leaguer who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage that were trademarks” of the late Conigliaro, who was hit in the face by a pitch during the 1967 season, returning to the diamond two years later.
The honor has been awarded to players who overcame adversity, including cancer survivors Trey Mancini and Jon Lester, former Mets ace R.A. Dickey after his historic 2012 season and one-handed hurler Jim Abbott.
Hill, 35, is the first player to be an active player on the Yankees to receive the award.
“I am humbled and grateful to be recognized as this year’s recipient of the Tony Conigliaro Award,” Hill, 35, said in a statement, according to MLB.com. “Tony’s story is one of determination and resilience, two qualities I have always admired. One thing I’ve learned is that a little inspiration along with determination can go a long way. This award itself is a reminder that setbacks don’t have to define you. I’d like to thank the committee and the Conigliaro family for this award and for continuing to honor Tony’s legacy.”
Conigliaro debuted with the Red Sox in 1964 and quickly became a power-hitting All-Star before a pitch struck him in the face on Aug. 18, 1967, fracturing his left cheekbone, dislocating his jaw and severely damaging his left retina.
Though he returned to the majors, lingering vision problems ended his career at the age of 30.
He died in February 1990 at age 45 from complications of pneumonia and kidney failure, eight years after suffering a heart attack and stroke.
Though his life was marked by tragedy, the award named in Conigliaro’s honor celebrates perseverance — a thread that runs through Hill’s career.
Hill lost his father, Jerry, to colon cancer in 2007. Seven years later, the Royals selected the lefty in the 32nd round of the 2014 MLB Draft. But during his first professional spring training in 2015, Hill began feeling unwell, and tests revealed he had Lynch syndrome, an inherited disorder that increases cancer risk.
“[Doctors] were like, ‘We want to give you a colonoscopy. We don’t think we’re going to find anything,’” Hill told The Post before the 2024 World Series. “But they did.”
Before he could play his first full pro season, Hill was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer.
He underwent eight months of chemotherapy and radiation, plus surgery that removed half his colon — a stretch he described as the “worst eight months of my life.”
The treatment left him at 145 pounds, more than 70 pounds below his normal weight. Hill rebuilt himself slowly, eating six to seven meals a day and resuming baseball work in 2016. He reached the majors two years later with Kansas City.
Since then, Hill has pitched for the Padres, White Sox and Yankees, who acquired him in June 2024 after Chicago designated him for assignment.
The side-armer has become a valuable bullpen weapon, posting a 2.68 ERA in 105 games for New York. Last season, he led the Yankees with 70 appearances and held a 3.09 ERA across 67 innings.
The Bombers picked up a $3 million club option to retain Hill for 2026.
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