Clifton received 46 of the total 80 votes - the second highest vote total of any award.  So let's take a closer look at what made Clifton the 2008 Comeback Player of the Year.  Some people voted for Clifton because he did come back from his bad back.  Clifton has been notorious for playing great one day and then being hobbled for not just the next game but for the next 6 weeks.
In 2007 Clifton's back was hurt for a long time after one stickball game.  He credits his cure in 2008 to a basketball game played with family during the Bush League eXperience.  "My back has felt so much better since that basketball game, I don't know why". Clifton was also able to comeback to AZ after hosting the first ever Utah tournament.
He also came back to being the player we knew before.  He got back into double digit HR's with 15 after posting 4 in 2007.  His average was once again right around .700 (he finished at .691) after he hit .576 in 2007.  He also had his best year ever with his KO ratio above 15. 
But the highlight of the season and what locked up the award for Clifton was his performance in the Championship.  Going into the last inning the Yard Dogs were down, that was until Clifton "came back" up to the plate and sent a towering home run over the right field fence.  He then "came back" later that inning with one out and kept his championship hopes alive with a single to tie the game.  Clifton and the Yard Dogs ended up winning the game and he was able to "come back" to AZ and get his first ever Championship.  Anyway you look at it Clifton did comeback in 2008 - hey Clifton will you do it again in 2009?