By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Reds pitcher Jose Rijo feels the love as he leaves the final game at Cinergy Field on Sunday, September 22, 2002. (Steven M. Herppich photo) | ZOOM |

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Jose Rijo won the 2002 Tony Conigliaro Award, which is given to a major-league player who overcomes adversity with spirit, determination and courage.

"He deserves it," Reds general manager Jim Bowden said. "It's a testament to what he's done."

Rijo returned to baseball after a five-year absence and five major surgeries on his right elbow.

Rijo went 5-4 with a 5.14 ERA in 31 games for the Reds in 2002, the second year of his comeback. He started a game and won for the first time since 1995.

Rijo is the first Red to win the award, which has been given 13 times. Former Red Eric Davis won it in 1997 with the Baltimore Orioles.

"We like comeback-of-the-year players," Bowden said. "We can afford them."

Conigliaro's brother, Billy Richie, will present the award to Rijo at the Boston Baseball Writers dinner Jan. 16.

SECOND PICK SIGNED: The Reds signed third baseman Mark Schramek, their supplemental pick in the first round. That means the Reds have signed their first 12 picks in the 2002 draft, and 15 of their top 20.

Schramek, 22, hit .416 with 11 home runs and 49 RBI in 54 games as a senior at Texas-San Antonio. He was named the Southland Conference player of the year.

The Reds also picked Schramek in the 45th round of the 2000 draft but didn't sign him.

AWARD Pt. 2: Gary Wahoff, the Reds' traveling secretary, was voted Traveling Secretary of the Year by his peers at the Winter Meetings.