Pitcher Jim Abbott was born without a right hand.
During his windup he would have a glove with the pocket facing downward on the end of the right forearm. Once he released the ball, he would slip the glove on his left hand and assume a fielding position. If the ball was hit to him, after fielding it he would place the glove between his right arm and right side, slip his hand out of the glove and get the ball. He made only 9 errors during his MLB career, was credited with 300 assists, and was considered a very good fielder.
He spent 11 seasons in MLB with the Angels, Yankees, White Sox and Brewers and threw a no hitter for the Yankees against the Indians in 1993. He also was a member of the 1988 U.S. Olympic Baseball team that won a gold medal in Seoul.
He was 5th in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 1991 and 3rd in AL Cy Young Award voting in 1993 when he went 18-11 with a 2.89 ERA in 243 innings pitched.
While with the Brewers, he also had to bat since the National League does not have the designated hitter rule. He got 2 base hits in 21 at bats with 3 sacrifices and drove in 3 runs.
Jim Abbott was an inspiration to many in that those with physical handicaps can still participate in sports and be successful.
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