Jim Abbott

Abbott in 1998.

Pitcher

Born: September 19, 1967 (age 49)
Flint, Michigan

Batted: Left

Threw: Left

MLB debut

April 8, 1989, for the California Angels

Last MLB appearance

July 21, 1999, for the Milwaukee Brewers

MLB statistics

87–108

4.25

888

Teams

Career highlights and awards

James Anthony Abbott (born September 19, 1967) is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who played despite having been born without a right hand. He played ten seasons in MLB for the California Angels, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers, from 1989 to 1999.

He graduated from Flint Central High School and grew up in the East Village area of Flint, Michigan. While with the University of Michigan, Abbott won the James E. Sullivan Award as the nation's best amateur athlete in 1987 and won a gold medal in the demonstration event at the 1988 Summer Olympics. He was drafted in the first round of the 1988 MLB draft and reached the major leagues the next year. As a member of the Yankees, he threw a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians in 1993. Abbott retired with a career record of 87 wins and 108 losses, along with a 4.25 earned run average.

He currently works as a motivational speaker.

Abbott was born in Flint, Michigan. He was picked up by the Ypsilanti, Michigan American Legion team and went on to win the championship. He graduated from Flint Central High School in Michigan where he was a stand-out pitcher and quarterback. He played for the Grossi Baseball Club during the summer in the Connie Mack leagues of Michigan. He was drafted in the 36th round by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1985 Major League Baseball draft but did not sign, instead moving on to the University of Michigan.