Jim AbbottIt is a clear summer night at Fenway Park in Boston.
The Boston Red Sox and theCalifornia Angels are in a hot pennant race. The Boston Red Sox are the besthitting team in the American League. The Angels need a win and are counting ontheir rookie pitcher. The old green stadium is overflowing with die-hard RedSox fans as the rookie takes the mound.
He has to concentrate on tonight’s gameand ignore the crowd. The game advanced with no trouble for the rookie. In theend, he gave up four harmless hits and, most importantly, no runs. When he gotthe final man out, giving his team a 4-0 victory, he starts to walk off themound. All over Fenway Park, not only Angel fans, but Red Sox fans stood andapplauded, cheering the rookie off the field. Everyone knew that they had seensomeone very special.
This person was Jim Abbott. Jim Abbott has led aneventfully life. He brought his college team to the championship in 1985,brought Team USA to gold in 1988, and threw a no hitter against the ClevelandIndians in 1993. These achievements are not what make him so special; whatmakes Jim Abbott even more remarkable is that he only has one hand.
As a childJim’s parents always told him that he could do anything he wanted to do. Theyknew that their son loved sports. They hoped that Jim would play soccer, whichdidn’t require the use of hands, but right from the very beginning, Jim lovedbaseball. So, Jim’s parents bought him a baseball glove. However, Jim was notjust involved in baseball.
He was the top scorer in his school’s intramuralbasketball league, and played two years of varsity football. Jim’s variousathletic exploits resulted in press attention. When Jim got to college, hepicked up right where he had left off in high school. His two main goals wereto get an education and to become the best possible pitcher he could be. Atthis point, his fastball was close to ninety miles per hour.
Jim to worked hardon a straight change-up and a better curveball. In the fall of 1987, Jim Abbottwas given the United States Baseball Federation’s coveted Golden Spikes Award. This award is given yearly to the best amateur baseball player in the country. That wasn’t his only award. He also received the Academy Award for Sports Awardfor Courage in 1987 and was chosen as the March of Dimes Amateur Athlete of theYear for 1988. He later won the Tanqueray Achievement Award for amateurathletes.
On baseball’s draft day, in 1988, Jim was the eighth pick in the firstround. He was selected by the California Angels. He was the fifth pitcher tobe chosen in the draft, and the second left-hander. The Angels were thrilled toget him.
In spite of Jim’s amazing achievements on the baseball field, he hasmaintained a genuine level of kindness. In recent years, far too many ofAmerica’s heroes have disappointed their fans. Being a hero is a responsibilitythat Jim handles this beautifully, offering help and encouragement to young andhandicapped athletes throughout the country. He is a true American hero, a one-of-a-kind success story. His ambition, determination, and accomplishments aretrue motivational achievements.
