Jim Abbott was born September 19, 1967, in Flint, Michigan without a right hand. He was an All-America hurler at Michigan; won the Sullivan Award in 1987; was the pitcher for the Gold Medal Olympic Team in 1988; and threw a 4-0 no-hitter for the New York Yankees versus Cleveland (September 4, 1993). Jim played for 10 seasons on 4 different teams and ended his big league playing career in 1999.
Abbott has worked with The Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) on several initiatives encouraging businesses to hire people with disabilities.
Today, in addition to often being a Guest Pitching Instructor during Spring Training for the Los Angeles Angels, Jim Abbott is a motivational speaker.
Jim lives in California with his wife, two children and their dog. His parents still live in Michigan. Jim and his family take the summer off each year to stay at the lake and visit with family and friends.
The 2012 Free Enterprise Dinner to be held on APRIL 24, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. in the Jack & Mabel Maddox Student Life Center on the USW campus. Individual meal tickets are $50, and sponsorships are available at the $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000 levels.
The family of Ted McVay will be presented with the 2012 Trustee of Free Enterprise award in his honor.