A One Hand No Hitter

The Incredible Jim Abbott

On September 4, 1993, Yankees pitcher Jim Abbott threw a no hitter against the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium. What makes this no hitter special is that Abbott had only one hand. Jim was born without a right hand. “I wish I had an incredible vocabulary to describe the elation I felt,” Abbott told MLB.com in 2019. “The disbelief. To see the fans jumping up and down — the noise — to be in the center of all that with your teammates. And to share the moment with Matt Nokes, my catcher. Every sense in your body is at full speed. You’re just taking it all in.”

How does a one-hand pitcher throw a baseball? The left-handed Abbott would rest his glove at the end of his right hand in order to throw. Once the ball was released, he would quickly transfer the glove to his left hand in order to field his position. When the ball was hit to him, he would field it with his glove, then place the glove under his right arm, take the ball with his left hand, and throw to the intended base. He could even effectively field bunts. An amazing and gifted athlete. Pitching in the American League at that time did not allow him to bat due to the designated hitter, however in his one season in the NL he batted 21 times with two hits and 3 RBIs.

There was nothing that would prevent him from following his dream of being a major league pitcher. He was the Michigan High School Pitcher of the Year, followed by being the ace pitcher of the National Champion Michigan University Wolverines. He was drafted in the first round of the MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels. Jim enjoyed a 10 year career, winning 87 games with three different clubs. He had come close to a no hitter once before until giving up an 8th inning base hit to Bo Jackson of the K C Royals In 1992, he was awarded the Tony Conigliaro Award that goes to a player who has overcome an obstacle and adversity through determination and courage. Jim served as an inspiration for all who knew him, especially to handicapped youth. Following his baseball career he has served as a motivational speaker.