BASEBALL’S CLASS ACT: Rival Red Sox Honor Yankees’ Tim Hill with Prestigious Tony Conigliaro Award.vc

BOSTON, MA — In a touching display of sportsmanship that transcends the bitterest rivalry in professional sports, the Boston Red Sox organization has honored New York Yankees left-handed reliever Tim Hill with the prestigious 2025 Tony Conigliaro Award after his courageous and remarkable recovery from cancer.¹

The announcement puts the long-standing Yankees-Red Sox hostility aside to celebrate Hill’s extraordinary resilience and spirit, cementing the moment as one of baseball’s classiest yet.

Overcoming Stage 3 Colon Cancer

The award recognizes a Major League player who has “overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination, and courage that were trademarks of Tony C.”²

Hill’s story is one of profound determination:

• Diagnosis and Treatment: In 2015, during his first minor league spring training, Hill was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer at the age of 25.³ This came just eight years after he lost his father to the same disease.⁴
• The Battle: Hill underwent surgery to remove half his colon, followed by eight months of chemotherapy.⁵ His five-year survival rate was projected at ⁶$65\%$–⁷$75\%$.⁸
• The Comeback: After being declared cancer-free in January 2016, Hill recovered with astonishing speed, making his Major League debut with the Kansas City Royals in 2018.⁹
• 2025 Performance: In 2025, Hill was a vital part of the Yankees’ bullpen, leading the team with 70 appearances and posting a solid 3.09 ERA over 67 innings.¹⁰ The Yankees recently picked up his $3 million club option for 2026.¹¹

Hill Humbled by the Rival Honor

Hill, the first Yankees player to ever receive the award, expressed gratitude for the recognition from the rival organization.¹²

“I am humbled and grateful to be recognized as this year’s recipient of the Tony Conigliaro Award,” Hill said via the Red Sox press release. “Tony’s story is one of determination and resilience, two qualities I have always admired. This award itself is a reminder that setbacks don’t have to define you.”

The award is named in honor of former Red Sox All-Star outfielder Tony Conigliaro, whose promising career was tragically cut short after he was hit in the face by a pitch in 1967.¹³ The winner is selected by a committee composed of Red Sox officials, MLB executives, media members, and the Conigliaro family.¹⁴

This moment serves as a powerful reminder that while the rivalry rages on the field, the baseball community remains united in honoring human triumph over adversity.