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Famed one handed major league baseball player Jim Abbott, who overcame a birth defect of only one hand became an amazing pro pitcher and ball player. Through stories, anecdotes, jokes, some self deprecation, and even failure and pain, he shows that people can overcome perceived limitations, and reach their dreams.
Southpaw Jim Abbott was born without a right hand. He spent hours as a youngster bouncing a ball off a wall to practice fielding as well as throwing. Instead of looking at what he did not have, Abbott's father helped him finds ways to win. Abbott was the starting quarterback on his high school football team, which went to the finals of the Michigan state championship. He showed enough promise as a pitcher to be drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays shortly after graduation, but he went to University of Michigan instead on a baseball scholarship. He had a career record of 26 wins and 8 losses at the school.
Today Jim Abbott is a professional motivational speaker. He has been featured in USA Today, Newsweek, Time, Sports Illustrated, Parade Magazine, People, and Baseball America. He has been featured during Olympic coverage, and has appeared on ESPN, Good Morning America, CNN, Larry King, Phil Donahue, George Michael Sports Machine, NBC Nightly News, ABC News Person of the Week, Late Night with David Letterman, and the ABC television series Boy Meets World.
As a philanthropist, Jim Abbott donated 100,000 dollars to Amigos de los Ninos, an organization that aids groups that care for children in California. He is an inspiration to all that meet him or have followed his career. More than his no-hitter, his 13 strike out game, a seven game winning streak, overcoming an eleven game losing streak, Jim Abbott became a great baseball player and a great person. He learned to overcome adversity and be an inspiration to those around him.
Presentation Topics
- Overcoming Perceived Obstacles
- Living Your Dreams
- It Is Not What's Gone - But What's Given
- How To Do More With Less
Testimonials
"Jim, I’ve been producing events like these for over 20 years. In that period of time I have NEVER experienced the deafening silence in a crowd that large, all of whom had their minds, hearts and souls transfixed on your speech. You touched the hearts of each and every person on the Civic Center, and your message of adaptability, determination and trust is now embossed on the spirits of hundreds of community leaders. The e-mails and voicemails filled with kudos and praise have been unending since the meeting this morning. You’re going to be a VERY tough act to follow."
United Way
"Jim was very well received. EVERYONE just adored him. His talk was great and the feedback on the conference eval's concurred that people enjoyed him. We would invite him back anytime to speak! The way he presents the ADAPT concept is a great way to motivate with information."
Wyoming Associations for Persons in Supported Employment
"It is a pleasure to work with such a famous athlete who delivers such a relevant and motivational message. Jim Abbott represents the kind of role model we would like to see in all of our professional athletes."
Epicor Software
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