Visiting with Jim Abbott
Fifteen years ago yesterday, Jim Abbott threw a no-hitter at Yankee Stadium, a feat made all the more remarkable because he was born without a right hand. If you're going to add another chapter to an inspiration story, that's the way to do it.
Abbott threw out the ceremonial first pitch tonight at Camden Yards, his appearance tied to his duties as a spokesman for PITCH (Proving Individuals with Talent Can Help), an awareness program for unemployed Americans with disabilities.
Abbott was approached by the Department of Labor in the spring and asked to talk to people in the business world and the media and "get people to look at people with disabilities the same way that Major League Baseball looked at me," he said. "They looked past what I might be missing and looked at what I could do. That's the message we're trying to spread and I'm really proud to do it."
Camden Yards was Abbott's first stop, but not the first chance he had to throw off a mound. He also took part in Old-Timers' Day at Yankee Stadium.
"It's been a year of indignities for me," he said, laughing. "Old-Timers' Day, 20 years since the Olympics, 15 years since the no-hitter. It's like, 'Ah, I'm getting old."
His message never will.
"The thing that inspires me is people who reach out,'' he said. "There were people who consistently lifted me up, who saw things in me I didn't see in myself."
Truly a remarkable story. I think the key point in the video is the clip where he is instructing younger pitchers. Not only is he able to compete at the highest levels, but he is confident enough in his abilities to pass his skill on to younger players. Truly a great baseball story.