albert pujols Y Justin Verlander they were named by the MLB as the Comeback Player of the Year of the 2022 National League and American League seasons, respectively.
The last major league season was significant for Pujols because he joined the 700 home run group. The Dominican baseball player put his name next to that of the legends Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714) by accumulating 703 homers.
Pujols’ list of accolades, an 11-time MLB All-Star, grew with this award. To his credit, the 42-year-old baseball player has the 2001 Rookie of the Year, three MVPs, six Silver Sluggers, two Gold Gloves and a couple of World Series wins. Likewise, the one in Santo Domingo became the third St. Louis Cardinals player to win that award. The first were Chris Carpenter (2009) and Lance Berkman (2011).
For his part, Verlander became the first Houston Astros player to win Comeback Player of the Year.. After missing the entire 2021 season due to Tommy John surgery, the pitcher posted an ERA of 1.75 and went 18-4. In addition, the veteran pitcher led the Young Circuit in WHIP (0.83) and the batting percentage of rivals (.186). In addition to this, in the postseason he won his first victory in the MLB World Series.
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other candidates
Verlander came close to winning the award unanimously since only his partner Alex Bregman, Matt Carpenter; of the New York Yankees; and Mike Trout, the Los Angeles Angels received votes in the AL.
The other NL players who received votes were Ronald Acuña Jr, of the Atlanta Braves; Mark Appel and David Robertson of the Philadelphia Phillies; Brandon Drury and Nick Martinez of the San Diego Padres; and Ryan Helsley of the Cardinals.