Former Big League Pitcher Jim Abbott Speaks at Michigan Student-Athlete Graduation Celebration

A former Michigan student-athlete is tasked with inspiring a new generation of Wolverines this Friday.  Retired major league pitcher Jim Abbott is the keynote speaker at Michigan's Student-Athlete Graduation Celebration.

The event begins at 8 p.m. at the Crisler Center.  It is closed by the public, but it will be live-streamed for free on Michigan's website. 

Over 100 graduating athletes will be in attendance.  Abbott hopes to impart some words that might carry with them after they leave Ann Arbor. 

Abbott is a member of the College Baseball Hall of Fame and one of the all-time great Wolverines.  He is a member of the Michigan Hall of Honor, was a two-time All-American, and winner of the 1987 Golden Spikes Award. 

The California Angels selected Abbott in the first round of the 1988 MLB Draft and he joined the major league rotation a year later without pitching in a minor league game.  He posted a 12-12 record with a 3.92 ERA that first year and would play nine more big league seasons. 

While with the New York Yankees in 1993, Abbott pitched a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians.  He achieved all this success in baseball despite playing with only one hand. something he talks about today with audiences across the U.S. 

To inquire about Jim Abbott's speaking fee and appearance cost, contact the agents at Athlete Speakers by calling us at 800-916-6008 or by Starting Your Booking Request Now.

Jim Abbott Interviewed by the Special Olympics:

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