Jim Abbott - Michigan Legend
Don't usually get much out of the Land of 10 stories, but this guy was always one of my heroes. Great team-player, competitor, Michigan Man.
https://www.landof10.com/michigan/q-a-michigan-baseball-great-jim-abbot…
When I taught at the University of Michigan, I was thrilled to learn we lived two blocks from the Abbotts. Reflected Michigan glory.
I went to school here in Flushing, and was lucky we played Jim's team (Flint Central) in a football scrimmage. He was a hell of a QB as well, in fact he was featured on NFL Today, a few weeks after we played.
Played against him in 85 as well. Went to Ainsworth and struck out twice. Guy was absolutely money on the mound.
Good read.
My junior year I rented a house with some friends at 720 Arch Street. Before one of the Michigan home games this guy came up and asked if he could check out the place he had lived in when he was a student. After showing him through the house for a few minutes I noticed his hand and realized it was Jim Abbott. I got everyone in our house together and we all took a picture on the front steps. This was pre-cell phone days. The next day my camera had disappeared, probably a friend of a roommate's friend or something. I have no clue if they ever developed the film but that one still burns to this day.
Bought my first skateboard from him (his used Jeff Phillips).
Playing for PiHi I faced him. I am proud that it took him four pitches to get me out.
PiHi?
I was the ballboy for my father who coached Midland High Chemics Varsity football. Anyway, 1st end of the playoffs, we travelled to Atwood Stadium and had to face Flint Central with Jim Abbott and Terrence Green (his wr). I don't remember the score (lost) but I was always amazed watching him take the snap. Hell of a QB.
How many kids do you have?
When Jim was at Michigan. And when he went on to have a successful career in the Majors. All props to Jim Abbott. What a freaking stud!
GO BLUE!!
took me to a Michigan baseball game to see him pitch I believe it was against State... other than him being amazing that day my personal highlight was state's coach asking me to run the lineup card to someone in the press box... when I got back he tossed me a ball... this was huge because back then you couldn't keep foul balls (not sure its the same way now) and had to give them back you could only keep homerun balls...
I'm from Flint and was stationed in Korea during the 88 Olympics. I was lucky enough to have a hernia and needed surgery. Dr said 3 month's. I didn't know why I had to wait that long, but I guess he had a plan. I had surgery 1 week before the games started, was in the hospital and met hella athletes visiting the hospital and then given 2 weeks off. I seen USA vs both Brazil and Russia in basketball and then 2 baseball games, USA vs Australia and then the jewel of the games, the gold medal game that Jim Abbott pitched. Before the game, the players would walk around and sign autographs. The Korean people thought Jim was a God. Many taking pics with him holding their children. Very special moment. My friend just bought a new camera and I have a sick 3 still pictures of Jim in his wind up.m
I'm from Flint and was stationed in Korea during the 88 Olympics. I was lucky enough to have a hernia and needed surgery. Dr said 3 month's. I didn't know why I had to wait that long, but I guess he had a plan. I had surgery 1 week before the games started, was in the hospital and met hella athletes visiting the hospital and then given 2 weeks off. I seen USA vs both Brazil and Russia in basketball and then 2 baseball games, USA vs Australia and then the jewel of the games, the gold medal game that Jim Abbott pitched. Before the game, the players would walk around and sign autographs. The Korean people thought Jim was a God. Many taking pics with him holding their children. Very special moment. My friend just bought a new camera and I have a sick 3 still pictures of Jim in his wind up.m
Jim Abbott was my hero as a kid. Had most of his cards, followed his stats in the newspaper, cheered for the team he played for. During his last stint with the Angels, when he was coming out of the bullpen, my dad took me to see an Angels-Tigers game at Tiger Stadium. Got Jim's autograph before the game, watched him jog around the outfield in warmups, and figured that would be it. He ended up pitching a couple innings in middle relief. He maybe lasted another season before that was it.
Always glad I got to see him play once, in the greatest stadium in baseball, with my dad.
The article mentions that Jim is now a motivational speaker. Having been to one of his motivational speeches, I can attest to the fact that he's a better motivational speaker than Matt Foley.
That happened about five years ago when I was still learning how this blog works. I wrote up a board post about his speech, but I didn't add any tags to the post so I'm afraid it's lost to the far reaches of the interwebz.
EDIT: Wow, I found it. And it was almost 7 years ago.
http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/update-former-m-baseball-great-jim-abbott
That's a great write up.
I read his book a couple years ago, would highly recommend it. Will probably read it again after I have kids. My favorite Michigan athlete after learning more about him.
Struck me out twice at Vets Park in Bay City, I was a senior he was a sophomore. Was happy that I fouled off 2 pitches. Abbott was always the guy you hoped pitched the day before. Nasty - filthy stuff. Living in Boston, I would love to listen to Eck describe his pitching, that would be classic.