Jim Abbott Top 10 Moments: No. 9 - Abbott Shares a No-Hitter
4/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
On April 18, 2009, former U-M baseball great Jim Abbott (1986-88) will have his number retired in a ceremony prior to U-M's 1:05 p.m. contest with Michigan State. During his time in Ann Arbor, Jim made a lasting impression on his teammates, the community and the entire baseball world.
In honor of Jim's legacy, resident Michigan baseball historian Jim Schneider has constructed the top 10 moments in the collegiate career of Jim Abbott. Each day leading up to the jersey retirement, MGoBlue.com will unveil another great moment, along with commentary from Jim himself, culminating in the No. 1 moment of all-time to be unveiled the morning of the April 18th ceremony.
Number 9 -- Abbott Shares a No-Hitter
The hype surrounding Jim Abbott pitching at Michigan went from a dull roar in Ann Arbor to a vociferous one in a hurry when the freshman made his home debut on March 24, 1986.
His shared no-hitter in the home opener is No. 9 on the list of top 10 moments in Jim Abbott's Michigan history.
The Moment as described by Jim Schneider ...
It was the home opener against Grand Valley and a lot of people had come out to get their first look at Jim pitching. In game one of the doubleheader, Scott Kamieniecki got the start and had a no-hitter going into the third inning when he started to struggle. Kamieniecki walked three guys in the third inning but worked out of the jam. Abbott was scheduled to pitch anyway and came in to start working in the fourth. He was electric, especially in the fifth inning when he struck out the leadoff hitter, got the next guy to pop out to the catcher and then struck out the third hitter on three straight pitches.
As the game went out, we all realized what was happening and he finished it off, combining with his future N.Y. Yankee teammate Kamieniecki for the no-hitter, a 7-0 win. Jim got the win by working the final four innings and certainly made a good first impression on the home crowd.
Jim Abbott on moment No. 9 ...
"It is a great memory for sure. Kammy was one of the great senior leaders on the team during my time at Michigan. It was a special day to combine with him on a no-hitter. We became even better friends later with the New York Yankees."
• Number 10 -- Abbott's First Career Win
