For so many reasons, it’s not surprising that Hunter Pence is the Sporting News AL Comeback Player of the Year.
With a soul as unique as his playing style — he’ll never be accused of being graceful on the field — Pence is a beloved figure in baseball.
Remember the 2014 World Series, when Royals fans delighted in bringing signs with Hunter Pence Facts on them?
Five years ago today, my favorite Hunter Pence sign of all time ... pic.twitter.com/qyt3CJcEe9
— Ryan Fagan (@ryanfagan) October 23, 2019
Seriously, you just don’t see that type of relationship often.
Anyway, back to the Sporting News awards. The comeback player of the year is, by its nature, an odd award for which to vote. It’s intentionally vague, and that’s reflected in the top vote-getters this year. In a September survey of 108 AL players, Pence received 37 votes, ahead of Lucas Giolito (29), Mike Minor (12) and Jorge Soler (12).
MORE: Braves' Josh Donaldson voted SN NL Comeback Player of the Year
Pence certainly was in a position to need a comeback to revive his career in 2019. His Age 35 season with the Giants — the team he helped to World Series titles in 2012 and 2014 — was a bit of a disaster. He played 97 games and put up the worst numbers of his career. Pence hit only four home runs, batted .224 and had a .590 OPS and minus-0.9 bWAR.
The fun years seemed done.
Hunter Pence, y'all ... https://t.co/mbGcl6TgEs
— Ryan Fagan (@ryanfagan) October 26, 2014
He signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers, a contract that promised $2 million if he made the big league team. And did he ever.
Pence batted .304 in April for the Rangers, and played like an All-Star in May, swatting eight home runs and collecting 26 RBIs in 24 games — remember, he had only four homers and 24 RBIs in 97 games in 2018 — and posting a 1.026 OPS. He made the AL All-Star team, though he was injured and didn't play in the game.
OTHER SN AWARDS: AL Rookie | NL Rookie | AL Manager | NL Manager
And even though he had issues staying healthy in his Age 36 season — he played 14 games in June, 12 in July and 16 in August — he was productive when in the lineup. Pence finished the year with 18 homers, 59 RBIs, a .297 average, .910 OPS and 1.7 bWAR in 83 games.
His season ended with a back injury, and then a setback during the rehab process. Manager Chris Woodward lamented the too-soon loss of the veteran.
"He's done a lot for this team, this organization," Woodward told the Dallas Morning News. "I was hoping I would get one more chance to see him, see that on-deck swing. Watch that game swing. Just admire him.
"What he's done for this team has been incredible. Never lost hope. Pushed these guys, showed these guys how a guy who's older, who's done it a certain way his whole life can change, can make himself better. … His legacy will definitely live on.”
Of that, there is no doubt.
