DeLaSalle varsity pitcher Ben Albert has developed a deep appreciation for former one-handed major league pitcher Jim Abbott. The two share similar disabilities, but neither was deterred from achieving his athletic goals.
"He's the player that is most like me," Albert said. "That would be fantastic [if we could meet]. Especially if we were talking about how I can get better or what it's like going forward."
Abbott went to the University of Michigan, won baseball gold at the 1988 Olympics, and made his major league debut in 1989 without a day in the minors. He played until 1999, going 87-108 with the Angels, Yankees, White Sox and Brewers. On Sept. 4, 1993, he threw a no-hitter against the Indians at Yankee Stadium.
Today he is a motivational speaker and lives with his family in California.
JASON GONZALEZ
