Wolverines to Retire Former Hurler Abbott's No. 31
4/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan director of athletics Bill Martin has announced the baseball program will honor former U-M All-American Jim Abbott (1986-88) and retire his jersey, No. 31, in a pregame ceremony prior to the Wolverines' home game against Michigan State on April 18.
"It is truly an amazing feeling," Abbott said. "When Coach (Rich) Maloney called to tell me, I was speechless. I never could have imagined this happening. For me, going to Michigan was such a proud accomplishment. Being able to wear that jersey and represent the university was so fulfilling for me. I had such a great experience at Michigan and to have them do this for me is beyond words."
Abbott's uniform will be the fifth retired in U-M baseball history, joining Don Lund (1943-45), Moby Benedict (1954-56), Bill Freehan (1961) -- who all played and coached at Michigan -- and Ray Fisher, who coached the Wolverines from 1921-58.
"We are very pleased to highlight and honor the amazing accomplishments of Jim Abbott," said Martin. "Jim is one of the most recognized names in Michigan baseball history and in collegiate baseball. His success, dedication and spirit on and off the field embody what it means to be a Michigan Wolverine. We are so proud to have had Jim wear the Maize and Blue and represent our University beyond his days in Ann Arbor."
One of the most celebrated college athletes ever, Abbott became the first baseball player to ever win the AAU's Sullivan Award, recognizing the top amateur athlete in the nation. He took home the coveted Golden Spikes Award in 1987 as collegiate baseball's top player and became the first baseball player to win the Jesse Owens Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year Award.
During his three-year Michigan career, Abbott helped guide the Wolverines to Big Ten titles in both his freshman and junior seasons. As a sophomore in 1987, Abbott was named to a pair of All-America third team squads and was All-Big Ten second team after posting an 11-3 record with 60 strikeouts in 87 innings of work. Abbott earned first team All-America honors by the Sporting News and was named the Big Ten Player of the Year and first team all-conference and all-tournament following his junior campaign.
"We are extremely honored to have an opportunity to recognize Jim Abbott," said U-M head coach Rich Maloney. "In the history of Michigan Baseball and baseball in general, Jim's accomplishments are extraordinary. He exemplified hard work, perseverance and dedication to the game, and has been an unbelievable example to young players. I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to recognize his extraordinary accomplishments than retiring his uniform."
Abbott appears in the Michigan career record books in three categories, ranking fourth in wins (26), eighth in complete games (13) and sixth in ERA (3.04). He also ranks third in single-season wins with 11 in 1987 and his 97.2 innings pitched are good for eighth on the single-season records list.
"Playing baseball at Michigan was something I wanted to do my whole life," Abbott added. "To get that opportunity was a dream come true, and to have the success that we achieved as a team and individually while at Michigan was spectacular. Playing at Fisher Stadium is such a special memory for me. Coming back and having this ceremony there is stunning, amazing."
As a Michigan student-athlete, Abbott's contributions to baseball reached an international scale when he represented his country on Team USA in both the Pan American Games in 1987 and the Seoul Olympics in 1988. In the summer of 1987, he became the first American pitcher to beat Cuba in Cuba in 25 years and clinched Team USA's Olympic berth by winning the Pan American Games semifinal contest vs. Canada. Abbott was also the winning pitcher for the U.S. team in the 1988 Olympic gold medal game, beating Japan, 5-3.
After his junior season with the Wolverines, Abbott was the No. 8 overall pick by the California Angels in the 1988 MLB Draft. Abbott made his pro debut that same year, without playing in the minor leagues, and was one of only three pitchers during the 1980s to win his first professional game at the major league level. In 1992, he was traded to the New York Yankees where he made history with a 4-0 no-hit victory over the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 4, 1993. After sitting out the 1997 season, Abbott had a 5-0 record for the Chicago White Sox in 1998 and finished his 10-year Major League Baseball career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1999.
Abbott's accolades continued beyond his playing career. In 2004, he was enshrined in the University of Michigan Hall of Honor. In 2007, Abbott was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame as a member of the second class. In 2008, Abbott was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from U-M.
The Abbott jersey retirement ceremony will begin 20 minutes prior to the 1:05 p.m. first pitch against the Spartans. In addition to the jersey retirement, fans will have the opportunity to purchase commemorative game programs. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a special commemorative t-shirt and a limited number of commemorative Jim Abbott trading cards will be given away.
Contact: Matt Fancett (734) 763-4423
