Updated as of 11/6/2023

Nowbatting19.net Presents... The TONY C. PAGE

#25 Tony Conigliaro

If you are not from Boston, or not a Red Sox fan, you may have never heard the name Tony Conigliaro. "Tony C.," as he was affectionately called, was a hometown kid who, in his brief Major League career became a legend. Tony played for the Boston Red Sox from 1964-1970, the California Angels (briefly in 1971), a attempted a brief comeback in 1975. The name "Tony C." brings a smile to many an older Bosox fan who saw him play, then a quiet sadness. For a player who was a "future Hall of Famer," to person subjected to the "tribulations of Job," (and worse), the story of Tony Conigliaro is one of both joy & sadness.

There are many articles online about Tony Conigliaro. Tony even wrote a biography, "Seeing It Through - The Story of a Comeback" (MacMillan Publishing Company, Jan 1, 1970). So, his story is out there in a lot more detail than I can give you. But I will give you the basics, plus a look at Tony C. through every one of his TOPPS bubble gum cards from 1964-1971, plus extra goodies as well.

Even though his life was cut short, Tony Conigliaro accomplished what most of us can only dream about. He is still missed and remembered. R.I.P.

1964 - Rookie Season

1964. At just 19 years of age, Tony made it to the Major Leagues. Signed by the Boston Red Sox, Tony was a 6'-3," 185 lb. menacing, plate-covering slugger. Many thought this kid was going to be something special. It didn't take long. Tony started off with a BANG in his rookie season of 1964. In his very first at-bat as Fenway Park, in front of the hometown fans, he belted a long HR on the very first pitch he saw. That was just the start of his meteoric career! For the season, Tony batted .290 with 22 HR, 52 RBI and scored 69 Runs in just 111 games! With 1963 A.L. Batting Champ Carl Yastrzemski also in the lineup, the future began to look less cloudy that it had before for the long-suffering Red Sox fans (remember the "Curse of the Bambino" was alive and well at this point).

This 1964 Topps #287 Red Sox Rookie Stars Tony Conigliaro/ Bill Spanswick is Tony's "Rookie card." It's too bad he had to share a Rookie card, but that was a common practice by Topps back then. Tony deserved his own card! Regardless it is a great card and the back states how he is "loaded with power."
There is also the 1964 Venezuela Topps 287 Tony Conigliaro Rookie card, but it is extremely rare & usually found in low grades. While the card fronts appear the same, the 1964 Venezuela Topps issue has a black back, while the regular Topps card as an orange back. But this is a terrific card either way!

1964 Topps 287 Red Sox Rookie Stars

Watch Tony belt his first home run at Fenway Park in 1964 (call by the legendary Curt Gowdy)

Topps Tony Conigliaro Baseball cards 1965-1966

Tony's career was short, however Topps issued many cards of him during his playing career. Topps issued cards of Tony from 1964-1971. These are his "regular" TOPPS cards, but there also O-Pee-Chee (Topps cards issued in Canada), Team cards, Venezuela Topps & many other Topps "Test" issues. We will try to show you as many as we find!

1965 Topps #55

Tony's 2nd TOPPS card. In 1965, Topps also produced special cards (including Tony) for their "All-Star Rookie" Banquet. These are extremely RARE, but I will try to post an image soon. O-Pee-Chee, in their first collaboration with Topps issued this card as well. The back has "Printed in Canada" and it too is very scarce.

1966 Topps 218 A.L. Home Run Leaders T.Conigliaro/N.Cash/W.Horton

Tony led the American League in Home Runs with 32 in 1965. He was just 20 years old! This is a great card featuring a Red Sox fan favorite but 2 Tigers stars as well in Norm Cash & Willie Horton A Venezuela Topps #218 A.L. HR Leaders card was also issued and is quite rare.

1966 Topps #380

Another favorite of mine. I like the posed shot. For 1966 Tony clubbed 28 HR with 93 RBI. In just 3 seasons he already had 84 career home runs! Compare to Yaz who had 44 HRs in his first 3 big league seasons! (No disrespect to Yaz as he won 3 A.L. Batting Crowns & the rare Triple Crown!)

August 18, 1967 Fenway Park, Boston

On August 18, 1967, the Red Sox hosted the California Angels at Fenway Park. An errant pitch by Angel's pitcher Jack Hamilton struck Tony under his left eye, causing facial fractures and damage to the retina of his left eye. Tony missed the rest of 1967 and the entire 1968 baseball season.

Did Jack Hamilton really intend to hurt Tony Conigliaro? It is doubtful. The game of Baseball between the pitcher and the batter can be one of intimidation. If a batter is "afraid" of a pitcher, the pitcher has already won the battle. The hitter is not going to be around long. On the other side, you have the hitter who wants to intimidate the pitcher. He wants to show the pitcher that he "owns" a certain part of the plate. Tony "crowded in" on home plate when batting. He was a strong "pull-hitter" who like pitches middle-in on the plate. Likely he wanted to cover the opposite of the plate as pitchers would try to pitch "away" from Tony's power. I know Hamilton has said it was not intentional and of course he felt bad about it. But it was an accident, plain and simple. Both players are now gone but if are a baseball fan you know how the game is played. Both of these competitors were trying to WIN, which is the bottom line in sports. Getting hit by pitches, or HBP (hit by pitch) has always been a part of the game. Read up on Hall of Fame player Hughie Jennings (1869-1928). Jennings has the Major League Record for being hit by pitches 287 times in his career; and this was BEFORE batting helmets! In one season alone Jennings was hit by pitches 51 times, which is still a Major League Record!

NOTE - Hughie Jennings had numerous skull fractures and concussions both on and off the field. As a manager he had a mental breakdown and was in a Sanitarium for a while. He died prematurely at the age of 59 which happens to be my age at the moment. Good grief...

Photo used for "Sports Illustrated," June 22, 1970 Issue

Topps Tony Conigliaro Baseball Cards 1967-1969

1967 Topps #280

Tony was having another monster season in 1967. He was batting .287 with 20 HR & 67 RBI in just 95 games when he was beaned. "The Impossible Dream" Red Sox went on to the World Series (mostly on the clutch hitting/ pitching of Yaz & pitching ace Jim Lonborg) but lost to the Cardinals in 7 games. Would Tony C. have made a difference? You would have to think so.

1968 Topps #140

At the age of 24 Tony had become the youngest player at that point to reach 100 career home runs (Tony C. had 104 when he was injured). Tony missed the entire 1968 season recovering from the beaning. Would he come back for 1969?

1969 Topps #330

1969 - COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR! Tony returned with a bang in '69. He had 20 HR, 82 RBI in 144 games. He batted .255, but considering he was battling vision problems, that is a miracle in itself! Today the MLB Comeback Player of the Year Award is named after Tony C.

1969 Tony's Comeback Game Home Run!

Topps Tony Conigliaro Baseball Cards 1970-1971

1970 Topps #340

For 1970 Conigliaro had one of his best seasons. He set career highs in HR (36), RBI (116) & Runs scored (89). He batted .266 but both Tony and the Red Sox knew something wasn't right with his vision. The vision in his left eye was deteriorating. This was to be Tony's last season in a Red Sox uniform.

This is one of my favorite Tony C. cards as well. While not the most colorful Topps issue, I like the photo and the scripted font used for the player names. The cartoons on back are pretty cool too. For some reason this particular card is difficult to find in MINT condition!

1971 Topps A.L. RBI Leaders F.Howard, T.Conigliaro, B.Powell

The Red Sox traded Tony to the California Angels for the 1971 season. But in 77 games with the Angels, Tony was hitting just .222, with only 4 HR and 15 RBI. He retired at the age of 26. Think about that a second. He was just 26, had 164 career home runs and he was finished. Tony averaged 31 HR, 95 RBI, 86 Runs per season (over 162 game schedule). He hit .264 but you have to consider the pitching dominant era he played in, plus the eye problems he had to deal with.

Note photo of Tony was same used on his 1970 Topps #340 card.

1971 Topps #105

This the final TOPPS card of Tony Conigliaro. Topps chose to use a photo of Tony in a Red Sox uniform. They airbrushed out the "B" logo on his cap and did manage to put his new team (Angels) on the card. Too bad, as it would have been nice to see him in an Angels uniform.

Tony attempted another comeback in 1975 and actually made the Red Sox Opening Day roster. He clubbed 2 more HRs for the eventual A.L. Pennant winners but was hitting just .123 in 21 games when he had to concede for good. This opened the door for a young outfielder named JIM RICE, who went on to have a legendary Hall of Fame career with Boston.

1975 - 2nd Comeback for Tony!

Miscellaneous Tony C. Cards...

1967 Topps Red Sox Stickers 30 Tony Conigliaro Is My Hero

Topps Red Sox Stickers were issued as a "Test" issue in the Boston area. There are 2 different Tony C. stickers

Some clever fan created this special "1976 Topps" Tony C. card. They even used an actual photo of Tony from 1975. Topps should have hired this artist! Whoever created this card is a true TONY C. FAN! I applaud you!

This 1976 Playboy Press "Who Was Harry Steinfeldt? Tony Conigliaro was issued as a book promotion in 1976. Scarce issue, this one has been autographed by Tony!

More Tragedy For Tony

As if the Gods weren't cruel enough (they are) ... in 1982, Tony was being driven by his brother Billy to the airport when he suffered a heart attack. The lack of oxygen resulted in permanent brain damage. He then suffered a stroke and went into a coma. Tony did come out of the coma but had to be under constant care for the remainder of his life. 8 years later Tony Conigliaro passed away on February 24, 1990. He was just 45 years old. Rest in peace Tony.

Tony after his heart attack & stroke in 1982

Teenage outfielder Tony Conigliaro gets a bit of advice from someone who knew a thing or two about hitting himself, TED WILLIAMS!

Tony C. playing some defense!

Anthony Richard Conigliaro

"Tony C."

1945-1990

This page is dedicated to Tony "C.," his family, friends & fans!

TONY CONIGLIARO - Pop Star & Entertainer!

Tony belting one out... Quite the talent!

"Tony C." singing with Cheryll Ann at a local Boston nightclub. She recorded some records (as did Tony) & sang with him as well! I met Cheryll Ann several years ago & she told me "Tony had meatball eyes..." I think she, like probably every female in Massachusetts, likely had a crush on him... She gave me an autographed photo of Tony and she still has a Red Sox cap Tony gave her! Thank you Cheryll! Love & Kisses!

Listen To Tony Sing!

"Playing The Field"

"I Can't Get Over You/ Little Red Scooter"

(Image only)

"Why Don't They Understand"

1968 Venezuela Topps 140 Tony Conigliaro

(Back view)

Topps issued baseball cards for the Venezuela market sporadically during the late 1950s-late 1960s. Tony C. was included in the 1964 (ROOKIE), 1966 (League Leader card), 1967-68. The 1968 Venezuela Topps 140 Tony Conigliaro (pictured) is nearly identical to the regular Topps card at first glance. However, the Venezuela cards do not have a semi-gloss card surface like Topps regular cards. Also, the back color is a different (darker) shade of yellow. The definitive way to tell is to read the small copyright in the bottom right corner area. If you enlarge the image, you will see that this card was indeed "Hecho en Venezuela." This is a high grade for this issue and is quite rare.

1967 Bazooka Richie Allen/ Mel Stottlemyre/ Tony Conigliaro Uncut 3-card panel

1966 Bazooka 4 Richie Allen, 5 Mel Stottlemyre, 6 Tony Conigliaro Uncut 3-Card Panel

These cards were issued on the bottom of Bazooka Bubble Gum cartons. They are smaller than typical Topps cards of the period, and the backs are blank. Most of these cards were cut out by kids, so uncut panels & especially complete intact boxes are rare. It's also hard to find single cards that were cut out carefully on or outside the dashed black cutting lines.

1970 O-Pee-Chee 340 Tony Conigliaro - Issued In Canada

1970 O-Pee-Chee 340 Tony Conigliaro

1970 O-Pee-Chee 340 Tony Conigliaro (Back view)

O-PEE-CHEE were cards issued by Topps in Canada. They use a different card stock than regular Topps cards, & the text in back is printed in both English & French. There is also a "Printed in Canada" next to "T.C.G." (Topps Chewing Gum) copyright. The O-Pee-Chee (or "OPC" for short) cards are considerably scarcer than their U.S. counterparts. I know for sure there are OPC cards of Tony in 1965 (first year of O-Pee-Chee baseball cards), 1970 & 1971.. Tough to find! The 1971 O-Pee-Chee 105 Tony Conigliaro is most often found with severe centering issues.

How would you have loved to get THIS for Christmas in 1970!

1970 Topps Baseball "Rack Pack" with 3 Red Sox players including TONY CONIGLIARO!

More Tony C. coming soon! Questions? Comments? Email Nowbatting19@yahoo.com Thank you for visiting our Tony C. Page!

"An Evening for TONY C." This is a 45 rpm record (DJ Promo) that was used as a fund raiser for Tony's medical bills. Those in attendance included Frank Sinatra, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Bobby Orr & more (Courtesy of eBay Seller bostonsportscollect-jim )

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