Jim Abbott Top 10 Moments: No. 8 - Abbott Earns Win in Title Game
4/11/2009 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 8 -- Abbott Earns Win in Title Game
By the time the Big Ten Tournament rolled around at the end of Jim Abbott's freshman season, everyone in the conference and the country was well aware of U-M's new ace on the mound. Further cementing his legacy at Michigan was moment No. 8 on the list of top 10 moments in Jim Abbott's Michigan history, as he earned the win in the Big Ten Championship game.
The Moment as described by Jim Schneider ...
We were playing Minnesota in the title game in Minneapolis at Siebert Field. It was definitely a home field advantage for the Gophers. Jim came on in relief and only allowed three hits and struck out 10 over the final six-and-two-thirds innings of work to get his first postseason win and propel the team to the title.
I remember he struck out the final batter and the team just absolutely mobbed him at the mound; it was a great celebration and a great moment. He was named to the all-tournament team even though that was his only appearance, but he was so dominant and shut them down to allow our offense to come back and take the game, it was a no-brainer.
Jim Abbott on moment No. 8 ...
"That was one of my favorite memories from my U-M career. Minnesota had a very good team that year. Standing on the mound when we won the Big Ten Tournament as a freshman gave me the first real feeling of being able to pitch well at the college level. I remember the senior players like Casey Close and their excitement over winning the Big Ten in their last year at school."
• Number 9 -- Abbott Shares a No-Hitter
• Number 10 -- Abbott's First Career Win
