Jim Abbott :: essays research papers

Jim AbbottIt is a clear summer night at Fenway Park in Boston. The Boston Red Sox and theCalifornia Angels be in a hot pennant race. The Boston Red Sox are the beat outhitting team in the American League. The Angels need a winnings 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 tonights 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 exam 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, delighted the rookie off the field. Ein truthone 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 childJims 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, whichdidnt require the use of hands, but right from the very beginning, Jim lovedbaseball. So, Jims parents bought him a baseball glove. However, Jim was notjust involved in baseball. He was the top scorer in his schools intramuralbasketball league, and played twain years of varsity football. Jims variousathletic exploits resulted in press attention. When Jim got to college, hepicked up right where he had left off in high school. His both 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 Federations coveted Golden Spikes Award.This award is given yearly to the best amateur baseball player in the country.That wasnt 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 the