Abbott honored at ESPYs with Jimmy V Award for Perseverance

Former MLB pitcher Jim Abbott received the prestigious Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday night.

"To be here, to be included, to be in this room means the world to me,” Abbott said. “To be included."

Abbott, who was born without a right hand, enjoyed an illustrious professional career that began with the University of Michigan and ended with 10 seasons in the Majors. Abbott was selected eighth overall in the 1988 Draft by the Angels and reached the Majors the next season.

In his 10 seasons with the Angels, Yankees, White Sox and Brewers, Abbott posted a 4.25 ERA and won 87 games. Abbott finished fifth in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 1989 with the Angels and posted his best year in ‘91, when he had a third-place Cy Young Award finish thanks to a 2.89 ERA and 18 wins in 243 innings.

His most memorable moment, though, was his no-hitter for the Yankees on Sept. 4, 1993. Abbott threw 119 pitches and issued five walks in his no-hit effort against Cleveland that remains one of the most notable no-hitters in MLB history.

During his Jimmy V acceptance speech, Abbott was introduced by star pitcher Justin Verlander, who gave a touching tribute about the perseverance exhibited by Abbott.

“Being born this way, I knew what it was like to be different. I knew what it was like to be on the outside looking in. And I knew what it was like to want to prove yourself and be on a team,” Abbott said. “And of all the great blessings that sports have given me, that sense of belonging is the best.”