Jim Abbott

Jim Abbott was a pitcher who played for the USA at the 1988 Olympic demonstration baseball tournament. Abbott was unique in that he was born without a right hand but went on to play 10 seasons of Major League Baseball. While pitching he would rest his glove on his right forearm and then put it on after the pitch for fielding.

Abbott attended the University of Michigan and in 1987 won the Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the USA, the first time it was ever given to baseball player. He was drafted eighth overall by the California Angels in the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft.

During his career, Abbott played for the California Angels, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers, from 1989 to 1999. He retired with a career record of 87 wins and 108 losses, with a 4.25 ERA. Abbott was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. After his baseball career, Abbott worked as a motivational speaker.