Seattle Mariners pitcher Chris Young has been voted the 2014 American League Comeback Player of the Year by the Sporting News.
Young, 35, missed the entire 2013 season after undergoing surgery on his right (throwing) shoulder. He joined the Mariners just before the start of the 2014 season and posted a 12-9 record and a 3.65 earned-run average in 29 starts. From 2009-2012 he made just 42 major-league starts because of ongoing shoulder issues.
“I am extremely honored to be named Comeback Player of the Year by the Sporting News,” Young said in a statement released by the Mariners. “There are many deserving players who have demonstrated the commitment, dedication and perseverance to overcome similar obstacles and I am humbled to be recognized amongst them. The life lessons I have learned throughout this experience are invaluable and will stay with me the rest of my career. Furthermore, I hope that I can serve as inspiration to other players in the same manner in which I was inspired to pursue my comeback. I am extremely grateful to my teammates, coaches, the Seattle Mariners organization and my family, as each and every member contributed to my success.”
Young received 49 votes. Outfielder J.D. Martinez of the Detroit Tigers was second in the balloting (22) and Oakland pitcher Scott Kazmir was third (14)
Young’s 12 wins tied his career-high, which was set in 2005 with the Texas Rangers, and he recorded the third-most innings (165.0) of his 10-season big-league career.
“Chris was a big part of our success in 2014, really solidifying our rotation,” Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon said in the statement. “To think he won as many games as he did, and made 29 starts, coming off the type of surgery and the injuries that he had, I think it’s just tremendous. He is a tireless worker and showed his determination with his performance. This is a very deserving award for him in every way possible.”
Young is the fifth Mariner to win the Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award, joining Willie Horton (1979), Richie Zisk (1981), Gorman Thomas (1985) and Gil Meche (2003).
Miami’s Casey McGehee was voted the NL Comeback Player of the Year.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
