Former major league pitcher Jim Abbott was in town recently. Remember him? Born without a right hand, he went on to star at the University of Michigan, play for the U.S. Olympic team, and be a first-round draft pick of the Angels in 1988. He began his pro career in the major leagues, and over a 10-year career won 87 games, including a no-hitter in 1993 when he was with the Yankees.
The Department of Labor brought Abbott to town to work with their Office of Disability Employment Program, and specifically on the PITCH campaign — Proving Individuals with Talent Can Help. I caught up with him at Camden Yards last Friday where he threw out the first pitch.
“There are thousands of capable disabled people in this country who can work, and who want to work, but can’t find a job,” he said. “Major League Baseball looked past my disability at what I could do and I had a career. More employers need to focus on what disabled people can do, not what they can’t do.”
As a pitcher, Abbott would let his glove rest on his right wrist until he delivered the ball, and in one rapid motion, put his left hand in the glove to field his position — and make no mistake about it, he could field his position, committing only 9 errors over his career. When the catcher threw the ball back to him, he’d glove it, and then smoothly transfer the ball to his hand and the glove back to his wrist.
I asked Abbott if he’d seen any film of the late Pete Gray, the wartime St. Louis Browns outfielder who had lost his right arm at the elbow in a childhood accident. Gray’s routine of catching and throwing was very similar to Abbott’s.
“I never saw any film, but I saw a lot of pictures,” he said. “I always regretted not meeting him before he passed away.”
Had Abbott ever met Bert Shepard, who pitched a game for the Senators in 1945 on a prosthetic leg he’d made himself? Shepard had lost his leg in the war.
“Are you kidding me? A guy pitched in the major leagues on an artificial leg?”
Absolutely. Aug. 4, 1945. Five-and-a-third innings against Cleveland, allowed 3 hits, a walk, one run, and struck out two.
“Wow. I’ve got to tell you, that blows me away. That may trump what I did, given how important a pitcher’s legs are to his delivery. And on a homemade artificial leg? I wish someone had told me about that a long time ago.”
Shepard, unfortunately, passed away earlier this year, but obviously, his story can still inspire.
Jim Abbott threw 190 or more innings six times in his career. He also threw 31 complete games. Did I mention he only had one hand? In his case a disability was not much more than an annoyance, and he’s out to spread the word that he’s not the lone exception.
Phil Wood is a contributor to Nats Xtra on MASN. Contact him at [email protected].
