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Boston Red Sox All-Time list: Ranking top right fielders in team history

By Mark Chekares

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 29: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox walks through the tunnel after scoring the game winning run on a walk-off single hit by Rafael Devers #11 during the ninth inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles on September 29, 2019 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 29: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox walks through the tunnel after scoring the game winning run on a walk-off single hit by Rafael Devers #11 during the ninth inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles on September 29, 2019 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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Boston Red Sox Tony Conigliaro (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Boston Red Sox Tony Conigliaro (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

6. Tony Conigliaro

Most of us know Tony Coniglairo’s tragic story.

Local kid from Revere, Massachusetts debuts for his hometown team as a 19-year-old phenom. Conigliaro hits 24 home runs during his rookie campaign, which is a record for a teenage player. He earns MVP votes two consecutive seasons (1966-1967), belting 32 homers in his sophomore campaign. In 1967, Tony C. is hitting .297 with 20 homers on August 18th when he is hit on the cheekbone by Angels pitcher Jack Hamilton. Conigliaro suffers a broken jaw and severely damages his retina. He misses the post-season in 1967, which probably changed the fortunes of the World Series runner-up Impossible Dream Team. Tony C. missed the entire 1968 season recovering from his injuries but returned with promising numbers clubbing 56 home runs in his 1969-1970 seasons.

Unfortunately, Conigliaro’s eyesight quickly deteriorated during the 1971 campaign, and after a brief stint with the Angels and a few years out of the game, he made a brief comeback with the 1975 Sox squad, hitting .153 in 157 at-bats. Tony Conigliaro retired at age 30, and his career will always be remembered for “what could have been.”

When comparing him to similar major league players by age, Tony C’s age 22 season is best compared to Bryce Harper, Mickey Mantle, Miguel Cabrera, and Hank Aaron among others. Factoring in his youth and talent, Tony Conigliaro would almost assuredly have been enshrined in Cooperstown if not for his injury.

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