Jim Abbott :: essays research papers

Jim AbbottIt is a clear summer night at Fenway putting green in Boston. The Boston Red Sox and theCalifornia Angels be in a hot pennant race. The Boston Red Sox are the best hit team in the American League. The Angels need a win and are counting ontheir rookie hurler. The old green stadium is profuse 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 man out, giving his team a 4-0 victory, he starts to base on balls off themound. All over Fenway Park, not merely Angel fans, exclusively Red Sox fans stood andapplauded, cheering the rookie off the field. Everyone knew that they had seensomeone very special. This individual was Jim Abbott. Jim Abbott has led aneventfully life. He brought his college team to the championship in 1985,brought Team regular army to gold in 19 88, and threw a no hitter against the ClevelandIndians in 1993. These achievements are not what make him so special whatmakes Jim Abbott even more unique is that he only has one hand. As a childJims parents unceasingly told him that he could do anything he wanted to do. Theyknew that their son loved sports. They hoped that Jim would touch 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 diadem scorer in his schools intramuralbasketball league, and played cardinal days 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 two 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 an d a better curveball. In the dip of 1987, Jim Abbottwas given(p) 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 heroism in 1987 and was chosen as the March of Dimes Amateur Athlete of the