Essay/Term paper: Jim abbott

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Research Papers

Jim Abbott


It is a clear summer night at Fenway Park in Boston. The Boston Red Sox and the
California Angels are in a hot pennant race. The Boston Red Sox are the best
hitting team in the American League. The Angels need a win and are counting on
their rookie pitcher. The old green stadium is overflowing with die-hard Red
Sox fans as the rookie takes the mound. He has to concentrate on tonight's game
and ignore the crowd. The game advanced with no trouble for the rookie. In the
end, he gave up four harmless hits and, most importantly, no runs. When he got
the final man out, giving his team a 4-0 victory, he starts to walk off the
mound. All over Fenway Park, not only Angel fans, but Red Sox fans stood and
applauded, cheering the rookie off the field. Everyone knew that they had seen
someone very special. This person was Jim Abbott. Jim Abbott has led an
eventfully 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 Cleveland
Indians in 1993. These achievements are not what make him so special; what
makes Jim Abbott even more remarkable is that he only has one hand. As a child
Jim's parents always told him that he could do anything he wanted to do. They
knew that their son loved sports. They hoped that Jim would play soccer, which
didn't require the use of hands, but right from the very beginning, Jim loved
baseball. So, Jim's parents bought him a baseball glove. However, Jim was not
just involved in baseball. He was the top scorer in his school's intramural
basketball league, and played two years of varsity football. Jim's various
athletic exploits resulted in press attention. When Jim got to college, he
picked up right where he had left off in high school. His two main goals were
to get an education and to become the best possible pitcher he could be. At
this point, his fastball was close to ninety miles per hour. Jim to worked hard
on a straight change-up and a better curveball. In the fall of 1987, Jim Abbott
was given the United States Baseball Federation's coveted Golden Spikes Award.
This award is given yearly to the best amateur baseball player in the country.
That wasn't his only award. He also received the Academy Award for Sports Award
for Courage in 1987 and was chosen as the March of Dimes Amateur Athlete of the
Year for 1988. He later won the Tanqueray Achievement Award for amateur
athletes. On baseball's draft day, in 1988, Jim was the eighth pick in the first
round. He was selected by the California Angels. He was the fifth pitcher to
be chosen in the draft, and the second left-hander. The Angels were thrilled to
get him. In spite of Jim's amazing achievements on the baseball field, he has
maintained a genuine level of kindness. In recent years, far too many of
America's heroes have disappointed their fans. Being a hero is a responsibility
that Jim handles this beautifully, offering help and encouragement to young and
handicapped athletes throughout the country. He is a true American hero, a one-
of-a-kind success story. His ambition, determination, and accomplishments are
true motivational achievements.