Jim Abbott is 57 years old now and hasn’t thrown a pitch in a quarter-century, but on this day his voice slightly quivers, realizing the impact he has made in not only baseball, but this world.
Once Abbott’s documentary ‘Southpaw: The Life and Legacy of Jim Abbott’ hits the airwaves at 9 p.m. ET, Sunday, July 13 on ESPN, there will be kids and young adults learning about him for the first time, the inspiring tale of the man born without a right hand who once pitched a no-hitter at Yankee Stadium and had a 10-year major league career.
“I’ve been the subject of very kind pieces for awhile,’ Abbott tells USA TODAY Sports, “but I was touched when ESPN Films wanted to do this, and dig deeply as they did. Having the impact of being different, growing up with one hand, and how some people connected with that who were like me, and others who weren’t like me, has been incredibly rewarding.’
The documentary is powerful with Abbott sitting at his kitchen table in Southern California listening to former Los Angeles Angels public relations director Tim Mead, and later the Hall of Fame president, reading handwritten letters from children inspired by him. The film also features interviews with some of those same kids who are now adults, thanking Abbott for making a difference in their lives.
“I couldn’t believe it’’ Abbott says. “There were some of the personal experiences that I had back in my playing days, at the ballpark, that weren’t always publicized, and now to see some of those same kids and families interviewed now, my jaw dropped.’
One of those letters was from a little girl, 8-year-old Tracey Holgate, from Windsor, Ontario, whose letter was read by Mead. She is now a 44-year-old teacher, married with four children.
‘Dear Jim, My name is Tracey Holgate. I am age 8. I have one hand too. My grandpa gave me a picture of you today. I saw you on TV. I don’t know anyone with one hand. How do you feel about having one hand? Sometimes I feel sad and sometimes I feel okay about it. Most of the time I feel happy. I hope to see you play in Detroit and maybe meet you. Could you please send me a picture of you in uniform? Could you write back please? Here is a picture of me. Love, Tracey.‘
“It really gives you pause, to be honest,’ Abbott says. “You know when you’re playing, you’re competing, and it’s such a fight, it can be a little insulating and you protect yourself.
“This film really helped me to see how many people are watching, and how many people are connected to it that you’ve never even seen. It’s just amazing. It’s very, very heartwarming.’
There is Shaquem Griffin, who became the first NFL player with one hand, thanking Abbott. There is Nick Newell, 39, the veteran MMA fighter born without a left arm, thanking Abbott. There is Carson Pickett, born without most of her left arm and playing for the U.S. women’s national soccer team, thanking Abbott. They all let Abbott know how much they were inspired by him, knowing that they, too, can overcome all odds.
“They saw something in me that related to their own experiences,’’ Abbott said, “with kids and families looking for hope.’’
Abbott, who was born in Flint, Michigan, and attended the University of Michigan, spends much of his summer in the state, watching baseball and rooting for his childhood team, the Detroit Tigers. He’s like every other Tigers fan, hoping this could finally be the year, the year they win their first World Series title since 1984.
“I just love when the Tigers are doing well,’ Abbott says, “because the whole state just goes crazy. Hats are out, and my friends are excited and talking about the Tigers again. I would love to see the Tigers keep it up. They’re incredible.’
While living most of the time in Southern California, he too has been caught up in the exploits of Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw’s brilliant career.
“It was really cool to see Clayton Kershaw get that 3,000th strikeout the other night,’’ Abbott says. “He’s been such a classy presence in Southern California for so long. And God, how many people are ever going to do that again. It’s one of those, you know, immortal accomplishments.
“And, of course, I love Shohei, just like everybody else. I just marvel at what he’s doing. Having struggled to be a starting pitcher, and knowing how important routine and structure is, the fact that he does both is just unreal. It’s incomprehensible.’
The film ends with Abbott speaking in front of a crowd, telling them of the time his daughter had a question for him in a classroom, asking, “Dad, do you like your little hand?’
“I have to tell you,’’ Abbott said, “I do. I like my little hand. I haven’t always liked it. Times I hated it, but that’s who I am, and it’s taken me to places I never would have gone without it.
“It’s taught me important lessons. It’s taught me that life’s not always easy, and it’s not always fair. My hand has taught me that you know you can do things a little bit differently, but you can still do them just as well as anybody else.
“I hope we always believe that.’
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