New York Yankees History: Jim Abbott Throws No Hitter

The fact that Jim Abbott was able to have a Major League career, and a relatively successful one at that, is quite remarkable. The highlight of that career came on this day in 1993, when he threw a no hitter for the New York Yankees.

In general, Jim Abbott making the Majors at all would have been quite the accomplishment. Born without a right hand, he managed to overcome that disability to become one of the best college pitchers during his time. Originally drafted by the Blue Jays out of high school, he ended up being taken with the eighth overall pick by the Angels, bypassing the minors altogether as he made his debut in California the following year.

After four solid years with the Angels, Abbott found himself traded to the New York Yankees for a package of players highlighted by J.T. Snow. He was decent enough during that first year with the Yankees, posting an 11-14 record with a 4.37 ERA and a 1.374 WHiP, pitching 214 innings. It was also in this year where he had his greatest accomplishment.

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Facing the Cleveland Indians, Abbott shut down their powerful lineup, pitching a 4-0 no hitter. It may not have been a dominant performance, as he walked five while striking out three, but Abbott managed to minimize the damage. The Yankees defense turned two double plays behind him, as Abbott generated 15 ground ball outs. He also received two excellent plays, including Wade Boggs diving into the hole to corral Albert Belle‘s grounder.

This would be another chapter in the inspirational story of Jim Abbott. He had already overcome his disability to have a successful baseball career at any level, and his performance this day added to that legend. He was already a figure that others could look to and dare to dream of achieving their goals, an inspiration for everyone.

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Jim Abbott’s career was about far more than his statistics or individual accomplishments. His no hitter, fired in his first year with the New York Yankees, was the perfect capstone to a remarkable journey.