The Comeback Player of the Year Award is one of the significant awards in Major League Baseball (MLB). This award is dedicated to those players who re-emerge on the field during a season and have helped their team considerably throughout the remainder of the season. Players often suffer from poor performances during a season due to injuries or other reasons. However, they also manage to bounce back successfully and resume their former playing skills after a period of time. Such players are considered to be the comeback players in the league and presented with the award.
The Comeback Player of the Year Award was first introduced in 2005. Notably, the awards are decided based on votes from selected MLB beat reporters. Then the two best comeback players from the National League (NL) and the American League (AL) are presented with the award for the season. The most recent recipient of the NL Comeback Player of the Year is Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves in 2024. Likewise, Garrett Crochet of the Chicago White Sox is the AL Comeback Player of the Year in 2024.
Read More:- List of Relievers of the Year Award Winner Year by Year
Comeback Player of the Year Title Winner Year by Year
Here is the list of MLB comeback player of the year title winners year by year of both the American League and National League as per the MLB official site from 2005 to 2024 -
American League Winners
| Year | Winner | Position | MLB Team |
| 2024 | Garrett Crochet | Pitcher | Chicago White Sox |
| 2023 | Liam Hendricks | Pitcher | Chicago White Sox |
| 2022 | Justin Verlander | Pitcher | Houston Astros |
| 2021 | Trey Mancini | Outfielder | Baltimore Orioles |
| 2020 | Salvador Pérez | Catcher | Kansas City Royals |
| 2019 | Carlos Carrasco | Pitcher | Cleveland Indians |
| 2018 | David Price | Starting pitcher | Boston Red Sox |
| 2017 | Mike Moustakas | Third baseman | Kansas City Royals |
| 2016 | Rick Porcello | Starting pitcher | Boston Red Sox |
| 2015 | Prince Fielder | Designated hitter | Texas Rangers |
| 2014 | Chris Young | Starting pitcher | Seattle Mariners |
| 2013 | Mariano Rivera | Relief pitcher | New York Yankees |
| 2012 | Fernando Rodney | Relief pitcher | Tampa Bay Rays |
| 2011 | Jacoby Ellsbury | Outfielder | Boston Red Sox |
| 2010 | Francisco Liriano | Starting pitcher | Minnesota Twins |
| 2009 | Aaron Hill | Second baseman | Toronto Blue Jays |
| 2008 | Cliff Lee | Starting pitcher | Cleveland Indians |
| 2007 | Carlos Peña | First baseman | Tampa Bay Devil Rays |
| 2006 | Jim Thome | Designated hitter | Chicago White Sox |
| 2005 | Jason Giambi | First baseman/ Designated hitter | New York Yankees |
National League Winners
| Year | Winner | Position | MLB Team |
| 2024 | Chris Sale | Pitcher | Atlanta Braves |
| 2023 | Cody Bellinger | Center Fielder | Chicago Cubs |
| 2022 | Albert Pujols | Designated Hitter | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 2021 | Buster Posey | Catcher | San Francisco Giants |
| 2020 | Daniel Bard | Relief pitcher | Colorado Rockies |
| 2019 | Josh Donaldson | Third baseman | Atlanta Braves |
| 2018 | Jonny Venters | Relief pitcher | Atlanta Braves |
| 2017 | Greg Holland | Relief pitcher | Colorado Rockies |
| 2016 | Anthony Rendon | Third baseman | Washington Nationals |
| 2015 | Matt Harvey | Starting pitcher | New York Mets |
| 2014 | Casey McGehee | Third baseman | Miami Marlins |
| 2013 | Francisco Liriano | Starting pitcher | Pittsburgh Pirates |
| 2012 | Buster Posey | Catcher/First baseman | San Francisco Giants |
| 2011 | Lance Berkman | Outfielder | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 2010 | Tim Hudson | Starting pitcher | Atlanta Braves |
| 2009 | Chris Carpenter | Starting pitcher | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 2008 | Brad Lidge | Relief pitcher | Philadelphia Phillies |
| 2007 | Dmitri Young | First baseman | Washington Nationals |
| 2006 | Nomar Garciaparra | First baseman | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| 2005 | Ken Griffey Jr. | Center fielder | Cincinnati Reds |
FAQs on Comeback Player of the Year Award
A. The MLB Comeback Player of the Year award is presented annually to an MLB player who has overcome significant challenges, such as injury or poor performance.
A. Chris Sale and Garrett Crochet got the Comeback of the Year Awards in MLB in 2024.
A. Yes, it is possible for a player to win the esteemed Comeback Player of the Year award multiple times throughout their career.
A. A MLB player can be qualified for Comeback Player of the Year Award if he successfully bounces back from injuries and poor performances and resumes his former playing skills in a season.
A. The Comeback Player of the Year Award is being voted by 30 reporters from all thirty teams in MLB.
