iSpeakers & Entertainers
Jim Abbott
Former Major League Baseball Pitcher
Born in Flint, Michigan without a right hand, Jim became an All-America hurler at Michigan; won the Sullivan Award in 1987 and threw a 4-0 no-hitter for the NY Yankees vs. Cleveland on September 4, 1993. Jim played for 10 seasons on 4 different teams and ended his big league playing career in 1999. Today, in addition to being a Pitching Instructor for the Los Angeles Angels, Jim is a motivational speaker. Unique as a sports speaker because his story, and the way he delivers it, appeals to many types of audiences, even those who are not sports fans. In his keynotes, Jim uses motivational sports stories of how he overcame adversity, and anecdotes from his career as a professional baseball pitcher.
Traveling From:
- United States - California
- Full Day: Inquire for Quote
- 1/2 Day: Inquire for Quote
- Keynote: 10K-15K
- - Achievement
- - Athletes
- - Coaching
- - Disability
- - Empowerment
- - Football
- - Inspiration
- - Leadership
- - Olympics
- - Sports
Jim Abbott has battled the odds his entire life. Despite being born with only one hand he was the 15th player to ever make a professional debut in the Major Leagues.
Abbott went to the University of Michigan on a baseball scholarship. He led the Wolverines to Big Ten titles in his freshmen and junior years and won the prestigious Golden Spikes Award, presented annually to the outstanding college baseball player in the United States.
Abbott participated in the 1988 Summer Olympic Games, pitching a complete game seven hitter, leading the United States to the Gold Medal in a 5-3 victory over Japan. The United States first ever, gold medal in Olympic Baseball competition.
He then joined the California Angels following the Olympics. Jim made his pro debut in spring training and made it to the Major Leagues without playing in the minor leagues, which was the beginning of a tremendous Major League career. His most famous highpoint is perhaps throwing a no-hitter for the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in 1993.
His baseball achievements include the Sullivan Award (best amateur athlete in the United States), male athlete of the year for the 1988 Olympic Games, and many awards at Michigan including the Jesse Owens Athlete of the year.
The awards that best define Jim Abbott would be those that exemplify courage and overcoming adversity.
- March of Dimes Athlete of the Year (twice)
- Academy Awards of Sports, Courage Award
- 1991 Victory Award recipient at the Kennedy Center Washington D.C.
- Freedom Forum's Free Spirit Award
Today Jim Abbott is a professional motivational speaker. He has been featured in USA Today, Newsweek, Time, Sports Illustrated, Parade Magazine, People, and Baseball America. He has been featured during Olympic coverage, and has appeared on ESPN, Good Morning America, CNN, Larry King, Phil Donahue, George Michael Sports Machine, NBC Nightly News, ABC News Person of the Week, Late Night with David Letterman, and the ABC television series Boy Meets World.
Abbott went to the University of Michigan on a baseball scholarship. He led the Wolverines to Big Ten titles in his freshmen and junior years and won the prestigious Golden Spikes Award, presented annually to the outstanding college baseball player in the United States.
Abbott participated in the 1988 Summer Olympic Games, pitching a complete game seven hitter, leading the United States to the Gold Medal in a 5-3 victory over Japan. The United States first ever, gold medal in Olympic Baseball competition.
He then joined the California Angels following the Olympics. Jim made his pro debut in spring training and made it to the Major Leagues without playing in the minor leagues, which was the beginning of a tremendous Major League career. His most famous highpoint is perhaps throwing a no-hitter for the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in 1993.
His baseball achievements include the Sullivan Award (best amateur athlete in the United States), male athlete of the year for the 1988 Olympic Games, and many awards at Michigan including the Jesse Owens Athlete of the year.
The awards that best define Jim Abbott would be those that exemplify courage and overcoming adversity.
- March of Dimes Athlete of the Year (twice)
- Academy Awards of Sports, Courage Award
- 1991 Victory Award recipient at the Kennedy Center Washington D.C.
- Freedom Forum's Free Spirit Award
Today Jim Abbott is a professional motivational speaker. He has been featured in USA Today, Newsweek, Time, Sports Illustrated, Parade Magazine, People, and Baseball America. He has been featured during Olympic coverage, and has appeared on ESPN, Good Morning America, CNN, Larry King, Phil Donahue, George Michael Sports Machine, NBC Nightly News, ABC News Person of the Week, Late Night with David Letterman, and the ABC television series Boy Meets World.
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