The Red Sox announced Wednesday that Chicago White Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Tony Conigliaro Award.

Given annually since 1990, the Tony Conigliaro Award recognizes a “Major Leaguer who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage that were trademarks of Tony C,” the former Red Sox outfielder whose career was cut short after being hit in the face by a pitch in 1967 and later died at age 45 in 1990.

“As baseball players we all dream about winning World Series rings, but if this year has taught me anything it’s that the biggest impact I can make is by being a source of inspiration to others who are dealing with their own difficult circumstances,” Hendriks said in a statement. “I’ve spent a good deal of time sitting in the bullpen at Fenway Park, and to be awarded this honor and have my name associated with Tony Conigliaro’s is something I will forever cherish. I’d like to thank the committee, the media members, Major League Baseball, the Red Sox organization, and the Conigliaro family for believing that I deserve this incredible recognition.”

Over the past year Hendriks’ life has been turned upside down after he was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a form of blood cancer, last December. Hendriks believed he’d been pitching with the disease throughout the 2022 season, and after undergoing eight rounds of chemotherapy between January and April he returned to the mound for a rehab assignment on May 5 and was back in the big leagues by May 29.

Hendriks then appeared in five games for the White Sox, recording two wins and a save before his season was cut short again with an elbow injury. He subsequently underwent Tommy John surgery and is expected to miss most of next season.

Even though his return wound up being brief, Hendriks’ comeback was a remarkable accomplishment. He earned the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at ESPN’s annual ESPY Awards in July and was recently recognized as the 2023 American League Comeback Player of the Year by both MLB and through the Players Choice Awards. The Perth, Australia native was also nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award this season for the fifth time in his career.

Hendriks was selected for the Conigliaro Award by a 12-person committee comprised of Red Sox officials, MLB executives and media members. The White Sox right-hander received seven first-place votes, beating out Yankees righty Ian Hamilton (four) and Red Sox lefty Chris Sale (one). Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Drew Maggi also received votes.