LUBBOCK Texas
Former Michigan
star and major league pitcher Jim Abbott was one of 11 former players and
coaches inducted Wednesday into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
“My baseball life has been one of taking the next step
and learning how to do things more efficiently with my left hand and arm, and I
am very proud of representing Michigan as the school’s first honoree,”
said Abbott, who was born without a right hand.
Abbott led the Wolverines to two Big Ten titles before going
directly to the major leagues. He played 10 seasons with the California Angels,
New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers from 1989-1999.
In 1993, he pitched a no-hitter for the Yankees against the
Cleveland Indians. He retired for the 1997 season, but soon returned for two
more. His last one, with Milwaukee,
required him to bat. He had two hits and drove in three runs.
Abbott also won an Olympic gold medal in 1988, when baseball
was a demonstration sport.
Other former players named to the hall’s second class
include: Pete Incaviglia (Oklahoma State),
Fred Lynn (Southern California), John Olerud (Washington
State), Phil Stephenson (Wichita
State) and Derek Tatsuno (Hawaii).
