For all the criticism White Sox slugger Adam Dunn endured last year, by far the worst year in his 12-year career, he overcame his struggles to become a force in the lineup.

Following his All-Star performance this season, The Sporting News named Dunn the American League Comeback Player of the Year on Tuesday.

“I definitely knew I was capable of it, but looking back now, first off it’s an award I hope I never win again,” Dunn said. “It’s bittersweet because one of two things has to happen to win this award, and that’s you’re injured for probably most of the year or you have a really bad, terrible season.”