Tim Hill recognized for overcoming cancer with notable Red Sox award

Yankees and Red Sox Rivalry Set Aside to Honor Tim Hill

The longstanding rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox took a brief pause to acknowledge a remarkable personal victory off the field.

On Tuesday, the Red Sox revealed that Yankees reliever Tim Hill, who triumphed over colon cancer to reach Major League Baseball, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Tony Conigliaro Award.

This award, established in 1990, pays tribute to the late Conigliaro, who, after being hit in the face by a pitch during the 1967 season, made a comeback to the game two years later. It honors those “major leaguers who overcame adversity with notable determination, grit, and courage.”

Previous recipients of the award include players like Trey Mancini and Jon Lester, who bravely faced cancer, former Mets pitcher RA Dickey after an impressive 2012 season, and one-handed pitcher Jim Abbott.

At 35 years old, Hill is the first active player from the Yankees to receive this distinction.

In a statement, Hill shared, “I feel humbled and grateful to have been chosen for this year’s Tony Conigliaro Award. Tony’s journey is all about determination and resilience—qualities I’ve always respected. One thing I’ve learned is that inspiration can play a huge role. This award serves as a reminder that challenges don’t need to define who you are. I’d like to extend my gratitude to the committee and the Conigliaro family for keeping Tony’s legacy alive.”

Conigliaro made his debut with the Red Sox in 1964, quickly establishing himself as a powerful All-Star. However, his career took a tragic turn on August 18, 1967, when a pitch struck him in the face, resulting in severe injuries, including a fractured cheekbone and retinal damage. Though he returned to play, ongoing vision issues led to his retirement at just 30 years old.

He passed away in February 1990 at 45, after battling complications from pneumonia and kidney failure, following a heart attack and stroke eight years earlier.

The award named in his honor recognizes Hill’s perseverance throughout his own career challenges. Hill, whose father succumbed to colon cancer in 2007, was drafted by the Royals in 2014. Yet, shortly after, during his first spring training, he began feeling unwell. Tests revealed he had Lynch syndrome, a genetic condition elevating cancer risk.

Hill recounted, “Doctors suggested I consider a colonoscopy. I doubted they’d find anything, but they did,” he told the Post before the 2024 World Series.

Shortly before starting his first full professional season, Hill was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. He underwent extensive treatment, including eight months of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery to remove part of his colon. He described that period as “the worst eight months of my life.”

After treatment, his weight plummeted to 145 pounds—over 70 pounds less than usual. He gradually rebuilt his strength, eating six to seven meals daily, and returned to baseball in 2016. By 2018, he had made it to the majors with Kansas City.

Since then, Hill has pitched for the Padres, White Sox, and Yankees, after being drafted and acquired by Chicago in June 2024. His sidearm pitching style proved to be an asset in the Yankees’ bullpen, with Hill appearing in 105 games, boasting a 2.68 ERA. In the previous season, he pitched 67 innings across 70 appearances, with a 3.09 ERA.