Seth Lugo Named 2024 Carl Mikovich Sportsperson of the Year

KANSAS CITY, MO- Jul 27: Photo from the game between the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Kansas City, MO (Photo by Jason Hanna/Kansas City Royals)

SHREVEPORT, La. (Nov. 20, 2024) – The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl awards the Carl Mikovich Sportsperson of the Year Award annually to some of the greatest athletes from the Shreveport-Bossier City area, and Kansas City Royals star pitcher Seth Lugo has been named the 2024 recipient of the award.

Lugo will be honored as the 39th recipient of the Carl Mikovich Sportsperson of the Year Award at the 2024 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on Saturday, December 28 at 8:15 p.m. CST.

“It’s an honor to be named Carl Mikovich Sportsperson of the Year!” exclaimed Lugo. “As someone from Shreveport-Bossier, it is really special to be recognized with this award, especially with all of the talent that has come out of the area.”

Lugo, 34, just completed his ninth season in Major League Baseball (MLB), and it was the best season of his career. In his first season with the Royals, the Parkway High School product won the Gold Glove Award for American League (AL) pitchers, was named to the AL All-Star team and All-MLB Second Team, and was named one of the three finalists for the AL Cy Young Award – given to the best pitcher in the AL

Lugo won a career-high 16 games with a 3.00 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 3.25 FIP and 181 strikeouts in a career-high 206.2 innings. He ranked seventh in pitching WAR, 10th in ERA, tied for third in wins, second in innings pitched, 10th in FIP and fifth in ERA+. In nine seasons in the big leagues, the former Centenary Gent has a record of 56-40 with a 3.38 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 3.57 FIP and 829 strikeouts in 847.2 innings.

“Seth [Lugo] embodies what this award is all about. His hard work and perseverance show young kids from our area what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it, both on and off the field,” said 2024 Independence Bowl Foundation Chair Claire Rebouche. “We are very proud of all the accomplishments and accolades Seth has earned, and we are thrilled to add to that list with the 2024 Carl Mikovich Sportsperson of the Year Award.”

The path to stardom was not easy for Lugo. After pitching in just eight games in his freshman year at Centenary College, Lugo met with then-associate head coach Mike Diaz, who planned to kick him off the team. Lugo asked him for another chance, and it was granted. He went on to post a career 5.36 ERA in three seasons at Centenary before becoming a 34th-round pick in the 2011 MLB Draft by the New York Mets. 

After being the 1,032nd player selected in the 2011 MLB Draft, Lugo pitched 46.2 innings in rookie ball for the Kingsport Mets, but he suffered another setback he needed to overcome after that season. Lugo missed the 2012 season after undergoing spinal fusion surgery. He returned to pitch in the minor leagues in 2013 and ground his way through the minor leagues, finally getting his chance in the MLB in 2016 at age 26. He pitched 64 innings – rotating between the starting rotation and the bullpen – for the Mets that season and posted a 2.67 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. 

Lugo pitched for seven seasons for the Mets – serving as both a starter and bullpen arm the majority of that time. He was a very effective pitcher in his time in Queens. In seven years, he posted a 32-24 record with a 3.48 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 16 saves and 508 strikeouts in 494.2 innings. The Bossier City native finally got his chance as a full-time starting pitcher in 2023 at the age of 33 – signing a two-year, $15 million deal with the San Diego Padres. Lugo showed he could be a great starter in the MLB by posting a 3.57 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 140 strikeouts over 146.1 innings with the Padres.

Following the 2023 season, Lugo declined his player option and signed the biggest contract of his MLB career – a two-year, $30 million deal with the Royals. Lugo and the Royals benefited, as he enjoyed the best season of his career while helping lead the Royals to their first playoff berth since 2015. 

The Carl Mikovich “Sportsperson of the Year” Award annually highlights some of the greatest athletes and sports figures from the local area who have shined a light on Shreveport-Bossier City through their contributions on and off the field. Lugo joins an esteemed list to have been honored with this award – including fellow MLB players Scott Baker (2007) and Todd Walker (1998); NFL players Joe Delaney (2021), Dak Prescott (2019), Morris Claiborne (2013) and Arnaz Battle (2002); professional golfers Sam Burns (2014), David Toms (1997) and Hal Sutton (1983); and sportscasters Bob Griffin (2000) and Tim Brando (1992). 

The 48th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl kicks off on Saturday, December 28 at 8:15 p.m. CST. The game will match up a current or former Pac-12 Conference team against the American Athletic Conference.  Tickets start at $20 and are on sale now at RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/Tickets. There is a bevy of ticket packages available – including individual tickets, group tickets, Pizza Hut Family 4-Packs, Small Business Fan Packs, premium options and more. For ticketing questions, fans can email [email protected] or call the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl office at (318) 221-0712.

For information on Independence Stadium rules and the clear bag policy, please visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/stadium-rules. Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl fans can visit OpportunityLouisiana.com to explore why Louisiana businesses are positioned to win. 

ABOUT THE RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL™

Established in 1976, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ is college football’s 11th most historic bowl game, and the 48th edition of the game is set for Saturday, December 28 at 8:15 p.m. CT on ESPN. The American Athletic Conference will match up against a current or former Pac-12 Conference team in the 2024 edition. Huntsville, Ala.-based Radiance Technologies is the bowl’s title sponsor through the 2025 Bowl Season. The bowl’s conference, team, and television agreements also run through the 2025 season. 

The Independence Bowl Foundation is prevalent in the Shreveport-Bossier City area throughout the year, hosting events to help enhance the economic impact and growth of our community. The Mission of the Independence Bowl is to attract and provide quality, nationally recognized football competition oriented to the Ark-La-Tex region. For more information, visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com or follow the bowl on Facebook, X and Instagram at @IndyBowl.