Pitcher Jim Abbott spent 10 years in Major League Baseball (MLB), during which he scored 87 wins, averaging just over four points per game. These indicators are definitely not outstanding. But one fact makes us look at the numbers differently. Abbott could play baseball with only one hand.
The American was born without a right hand. He was born with amniotic constriction syndrome, due to which the fetus in the womb can lose from a few fingers to an entire limb. Relatives offered to abandon their son, but Abbott's father and mother decided to leave the boy.
Dropped out of MLB after high school
It was incredibly difficult for my parents, because they were still in college when the future baseball player was born. But the couple did not give up and did everything to make little Jim feel like an ordinary boy. From childhood, the child showed interest in sports, so his parents began to offer him different options.
Dad decided that it would be easiest for his son to prove himself in football. And what? The lack of a brush should not have greatly affected Jim's abilities. But the boy himself showed no interest in this sport. But he liked to spend time with a friend from a neighboring yard who played baseball.
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"What is it like to play baseball with one hand? I've been doing this since I was five, so it's as natural to me as tying my shoelaces. I could always throw a ball pretty well, but I didn't consider it a job as a child, as I just loved to play,» Jim explained.
When Abbott went to school, he got a mechanical arm. The prosthesis was made of fiberglass and metal, but the child did not like it at all, who called it a «hook» and frightened his classmates. So at a young age, he decided to walk without a prosthesis.
Abbott started playing baseball professionally at school and was able to show everyone his level right off the bat. He was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the MLB Draft. It would seem that here it is — a dream. But Abbott surprised everyone and refused a contract with the club and a signing bonus of 50 thousand dollars.
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"At that moment I was not ready for professional baseball for the University of Michigan was my dream. I decided that during this time I could develop my skills and become the best version of myself. You see, I never dreamed of playing in MLB. I just wanted to play baseball,” Abbott explained.
Jim played in the university league for three years, during which he managed to achieve incredible success. For example, he was recognized as the best amateur athlete in the United States in 1987 and became the first baseball player to receive this title. Abbott was the flag bearer for the United States national team at the Pan American Games and even competed at the Olympics.There was a strange story with baseball at the Seoul Games. At first it was included in the program, but then the International Olympic Committee refused to recognize it, so this sport entered the Games as a demonstration competition. This did not prevent Jim, together with the US team, from winning gold medals in South Korea.
Developed his own method of playing
It was after the Games that Abbott decided he was ready to play in MLB. He was drafted again and signed with the Los Angeles Angels. A full house gathered at the arena for his debut match in the league. Everyone wanted to see the one-handed pitcher. Journalists from all over the world were accredited for the match, and all major world publications wanted to get shots of Jim's game.
Abbott spent 10 seasons in MLB, during which he scored 87 wins and suffered 108 losses. Modest statistics for a regular pitcher, but incredible numbers for a one-handed baseball player. But how did he manage to play without one brush?Before serving, he put the glove on the end of his right forearm, and after the throw, Abbott quickly put the glove on his left hand. During matches, he often pinched the glove between his right forearm and torso to use his free hand. When he needed to pull the ball out of his glove, he would first remove his hand from it, and only then would he take out the ball.
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"I fell in love with baseball as a child. And in order to play it, I had to develop my own way of playing with one hand. I figured out how to play with one hand because I wanted to spend time with my friends. To do this, I had to get out,» said Jim.
After leaving MLB, Abbott took up charity work. He still helps many disabled children, trying to make their lives better. Jim also works as a motivational speaker and tells the public that the main thing is to believe in yourself and do what you love. And success will come.