Boston Red Sox: Jacoby Ellsbury Wins Comeback Player of the Year Award

It has been a tough October for Red Sox Nation, but Jacoby Ellsbury is again putting the team on his back. Ellsbury was easily the MVP of the team this season and is now in contention for several awards.

Major League Baseball announced Thursday that Ellsbury was voted the American League Comeback Player of the Year. 

The 2010 season plagued Jacoby with injuries that he could not overcome. In April, Ellsbury fractured four of his ribs, sidelining him for over a month. Six days later he was still feeling pain in his ribs and again was placed on the disabled list. He rejoined Boston in early August, but re-injured himself in a game against the Texas Rangers. The rib injury cost him almost all of the season, as he only played in 18 games. 

No one knew what the 2011 season would entail for Ellsbury since he barely played at all the season before. After a month of getting used to playing on a regular basis again, Ellsbury started playing at a level that no one expected. 

By July he was manning center field with ease and also showing power that wasn't seen before. Coming into the season, his previous career high in home runs was only nine. Jacoby had already surpassed that mark by the All-Star break. 

After missing 144 games in 2010, Ellsbury finished his 2011 campaign playing in all but two games. He finished the season hitting .321/.376/.552 with 32 home runs, 105 RBI, 119 runs scored and 39 stolen bases. He is the first player in Red Sox history to have 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in a single season. 

The Comeback Player of the Year Award is awarded to the player who re-emerged on the field during the season and Ellsbury clearly met those qualifications.

Jacoby Ellsbury is also in contention for a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger and Most Valuable Player award.