Winter 2014 Auction Closing Feb 7
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/8/2014
Boston’s Tony C was on the way to becoming the Red Sox’s most popular player of all time when tragedy struck. During a 1967 game against the Angels, Conigliaro was struck by a Jack Hamilton fastball and suffered a linear fracture of the left cheekbone, dislocated jaw and severe damage to his left eye. To everyone but Tony C it would have been a career ending injury, but like a phoenix, Boston’s favorite son rose to play again. Though he was never as dominant a ballplayer as he was before, Conigliaro has several fine seasons with Boston and was awarded the Comeback of the Year Award in 1969. Conigliaro’s Hillerich & Bradsby W215 shows moderate use, including a cracked handle which has been secured. Conigliaro’s number “25” is hand written on the knob. Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA who have given this piece of Red Sox history a grade of GU 8.5, and an additional letter of provenance from the Yankee Stadium visiting team bat boy in 1970. Conigliaro is a long-time fan favorite in Boston for Red Sox fans, and with this first hand provenance, it makes the bat tied specifically to 1970, his best year when he hit 36 Home Runs and had 136 RBIs.