Jim Abbott Top 10 Moments: No. 1 - Wearing the Red, White and Blue
4/18/2009 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 1 -- Abbott Wears the Red, White and Blue with Pride
With so many great memories of Jim Abbott's days at Michigan, one series of moments easily stood out to combine for the No. 1 moment on the top 10 list of Jim Abbott's Michigan career. Jim's experiences with Team USA in the Pan Am games and Olympics while still a U-M student-athlete take the cake in our list of moments.
The Moment as described by Jim Schneider ...
Easily the top moments Jim had as a Wolverine, and I am guessing personally, are his experiences with Team USA in 1988.
He was on the Pan American Games roster in 1988 and was elected by Team USA to carry the American flag in the opening ceremonies. He went on to pitch and win the Pan-Am semifinal game to clinch an Olympic berth for Team USA in the 1988 Olympic Games by becoming the first American pitcher to beat Cuba in Cuba in 25 years.
In the Olympics, Jim got the call on the mound in the Olympic Gold Medal game, pitching Team USA to a complete-game victory over Japan in Seoul, Korea, and bringing gold back to Ann Arbor.
Jim Abbott on moment No. 1 ...
"The Team USA baseball experience was absolutely terrific. We played with one goal in mind, simply to win the Olympics. Nothing else mattered. I don't think anyone knew their batting average or ERA that summer. It was all about the team. After going to professional baseball, you learned quickly it would never be like that again. It may sound corny, but I mean it when I say the one thread weaving throughout these experiences was the pride in representing the University of Michigan at each step. If it weren't for the opportunity Bud Middaugh gave me to play at Michigan none of this would have been possible."
• Number 2 -- Abbott Drafted No. 8 Overall by Angels
• Number 3 -- Abbott Heads to the Hall of Fame
• Number 4 -- Abbott Wins Golden Spikes Award
• Number 5 -- Abbott Takes Home Sullivan Award
• Number 6 -- Abbott Rakes in the Hardware in 1988
• Number 7 -- Abbott's Michigan Accolades
• Number 8 -- Abbott Earns Win in Title Game
• Number 9 -- Abbott Shares a No-Hitter
• Number 10 -- Abbott's First Career Win
