In every sport, injuries occur on a regular basis. Even with the best preparation, warmups and care, injuries are just part of the game. In many cases, these are relatively minor, requiring only rest, ice and conservative care. But others can be more serious and may demand surgery and extensive rehabilitation. In these latter situations, there is always a concern that the injury may be season or career-ending. And for some, they are. But in other instances, players make incredible comebacks, surpassing not only others’ expectations but even their own.
This is certainly true when it comes to baseball sports injuries with dozens making amazing baseball injury comebacks. Though fans and managers may have counted them out, they proved them wrong through hard work and commitment. These are the players who inspire us to overcome adversity and to see setbacks as opportunities. Their achievements become metaphors for life overall. With this in mind, the following offers some of the most notable baseball injury comebacks on record.
- Tommy John – In 1974, there were few options for pitchers who suffered ulnar collateral ligament tears of the elbow. In essence, these baseball sports injuries were both season and career ending. But Tommy John, a pitcher for the L.A. Dodgers, opted to pursued an experimental surgery. The operation would replace the elbow ligament with one from his forearm. With that, the Tommy John surgery was born, and since, dozens of MLB pitchers have enjoyed its success. And as for Tommy John, he made one of the greatest baseball sports comebacks, pitching for another decade.
- Jason Giambi – Early in the 2004 season, Jason Giambi had to undergo knee surgery for severe inflammation and ligament repair. But what happened next was anything but expected. In addition to his baseball sports injuries, he subsequently suffered respiratory complications and parasitic infections. As a result, his medical care was extensive, and he lost a tremendous amount of weight in the process. But eventually, he overcame the adversity with one of the most impressive baseball injury comebacks for the 2005 season. Not only did he again play first base and serve as a designated hitter for the Yankees. But he led the league with 108 walks and an on-base-percentage of 0.440.
- Kirk Gibson – Kirk Gibson will always be remembered for his heroics in the 1988 World Series when he played for the Dodgers. Having suffered 2 leg injuries and dealing with an intestinal virus, he was not expected to play in Game 1. But in the bottom of the 9th inning with the Dodgers trailing 4-3, Gibson came to the plate. With 2 outs and a full count, he was able to launch one out of the park in right field, sealing the victory. And while Gibson would not return for the remainder of the World Series, the Dodgers won it in 5 games. Needless to say, he inspired his teammates to victory with one of the best baseball injury comebacks in history.
- Curt Schilling – Probably every baseball fan, and definitely every Boston Red Sox fan, knowns the story of the bloody sock. Schilling, one of the ace pitchers for Boston in the 2004 ACLS games, suffered an ankle tendon tear in Game 1. No one expected him to return since these types of baseball sports injuries are rather serious. But after having skin and tissue sutured together, Schilling returned to the mound for Game 6. And over the course of the game, his “red sock” became bloodier and bloodier. Not only did the Red Sox wine the game and come back to tie the series. But they went on to win their first World Series since 1918. Schilling’s performance has since become legend among baseball injury comebacks.
- Chris Carpenter – Some players experience multiple baseball sports injuries in their career. This would certainly apply to Chris Carpenter. In 2002, he tore his labrum in the shoulder of his pitching arm requiring extensive surgery. He missed the next year but came back in 2005, making the All-Star Team and winning the Cy Young award. He then had to undergo Tommy John surgery in 2006, again missing an entire season. But not to be phased, he again demonstrated one of the greatest baseball injury comebacks in 2009. It was then he was named the MLB’s Comeback Player of the Year.
- Tony Conigliaro – Many may not have heard of Tony Conigliaro, but he was a well-known power hitter in the 1960s. Unfortunately, he suffered one of the most gruesome baseball sports injuries ever captured. Struck by a pitch, Conigliaro fractured his cheek bone and suffered serious eye damage. Though he was out for a while, he eventually made his return to baseball in 1969 and was able to play 4 more years. Amazingly, he had his best year in 1970 despite his setbacks. All it takes a is a look at his picture in Sports Illustrated after his injury to appreciate this accomplishment. It too ranks among the greatest baseball sports comebacks in history.
- Prince Fielder – Prince Fielder was a veteran around the league and known as a fierce hitter. But in 2014, cervical disc disease forced him to undergo spinal fusion at C56 in his neck. No one expected him to return from this baseball sports injury. But in 2015, he did after being signed by the Texas Rangers. That year, he earned a batting average of .305 with 23 home runs and 98 RBIs. Without a doubt, his return and comeback was impressive. Unfortunately, in 2016, he underwent a second cervical fusion at C45 that did force him to eventually retire.
- Mariana Rivera – This famous New York Yankee reliever had a storybook baseball career, leading the Yankees to many victories. But in 2012, near the end of his career, he suffered a right ACL tear in his knee during practice. At age 43 years, few expected him to return to the mound. But he proved them wrong and returned for a farewell tour the following year. It was during this year that he had an ERA of 2.11 and a total of 41 saves out of 51 attempts. Such impressive baseball injury comebacks are rare for any player, but definitely one at Rivera’s age.
