OT - Jim Abbott on Sportscenter
Jim Abbott was just on Sportscenter, talking about his new book, being raised in Flint, and growing up without a hand among other things.
Link to his new book:
said the message of his book is that we are all faced with challenges and that you can overcome those challenges.
Something along the lines of "Jim Abbott pitched a no hitter in the MLB. He doesn't have a right hand. What's holding you back?"
inspirational for sure
Sorry, but some people one Mgoblog actually have jobs and cannot sit around all day at watch repeats of SportsCenter. Luckily, I am not one of them and I was able to watch it. He seems like an all around great guy, really proud of his Flint roots.
I know, I'm trying to find a link to the video this is the best I can do:
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/yankees/post/_/id/32049/jim-abbott-on-his-new-book
From Wikipedia...
"When preparing to pitch the ball, Abbott would rest a right-handed thrower's glove on the end of his right forearm. After releasing the ball, he would quickly slip his hand into the glove, usually in time to field any balls that a two-handed pitcher would be able to field. Then he would remove the glove by securing it between his right forearm and torso, slip his hand out of the glove, and remove the ball from the glove, usually in time to throw out the runner and sometimes even start double plays. At all levels, teams tried to exploit his fielding disadvantage by repeatedly bunting to him; this tactic was never effective.[5]"
I understand that its a game you are trying to win and all but... HA!!!! Take that you fuckers!!!
The Daily had an article on him a few years back, and this part stood out...
As a local legend goes, a Little League coach once tried to exploit the lefty’s handicap by having eight consecutive batters lay down bunts. The first one reached — Abbott threw out the last seven.
“The intent was clear, but that’s the way things are,” Abbott said, laughing at the distant memory. “I suppose everyone, one-handed or two-handed, comes across those points in life where they have to prove themselves. I guess it was almost a tribute to the kind of pitcher I was.”
That might hurt his feelings more than the 7 attempted bunts.
April 18th, 2012 at 11:48 PM ^
Unless eight consecutive bunts is a standard little league stategy, Abbott was treated differently BECAUSE he was handicapped. And that is truly disgusting for little league. If it's HS, college, or pro ball, you're fair game, but little league is supposed to teach kids sportsmanship.
I just wish someone would "out' that coach on the internet, so that a bunch of people could "congratulate" him online for being such a reptile.
April 19th, 2012 at 12:51 AM ^
and where is this standard that it is an acceptable tactic at HS and above written? You stated a personal preference for how to treat a handicapped boy. The truth of the matter is that if you want to win, you do what it takes. The coach did. So did Jim Abbott. Jim isn't crying about it. Those who have been blessed with such obstacles have to work harder and it pays off. Obviously that mentality set the tone for Jim's life.
The feminist point of view that teaches a person that it doesn't matter who wins or losesm its how you play the game is a load of garbage. Even at the Little League level, the goal includes winning. Why play if it doesn't.
Too many of our young men and women, boys and girls don't know what it means to work for success. How much more the handicapped among us. Giving them special treatment where it is not needed only handicaps them further.
That's pretty bad ass, I was just assuming his pitching abilities trumped the fact he couldn't field the ball, but that's awesome he was able to field just about as well as a guy with both hands. I can just see the first guy to try and bunt on him getting the smirk wiped off his face as he's thrown out.
The way he carried himself on SportsCenter tells me exactly why he was able to accomplish so much... A no excuses mentality... Took his ailment as motivation and beat every challenge that faced him...
Jim Abbott is, and always will be my favorite athlete. Truly one of the greats, and one of the nicest people you'll ever meet.
When I was in elementary school in Ann Arbor there was a girl in my class who was born with a non-developed hand. Abbott was just getting attention at Michigan then, and he corresponded with the girl and presented her with (I believe) some autographed memorabilia, to be an encouragement. For a 6-year old girl tackling school that must have been incredible. Big bonus that he went on to the Olympics and pitch a no-hitter, but he had me there.
His rookie card:
Awesome for obvious reasons.
Legend.
April 8, the morning after Mike Wallace died, with, of course, a feature on him. A heavy Michigan Alum Sunday for CBS. Link to the related article on their website: "Jim Abbott makes his best pitch ever." And the video of the segment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Lhl2-vf824&feature=youtu.be Well worth seeing. (I watched it again.) Includes visual evidence of everything discussed above, plus the last two pitches of his no-hitter. (Oops. Did I give anything away?)