BASEBALL’S HERO WAS A MICHIGAN KID The Story of Pitcher Jim Abbott
On Sept. 4, 1993, Michigan’s own Jim Abbott added his name to the list of the MLB’s New York Yankee legends — with just one hand. Abbott was born missing his right hand in Flint, Michigan, on Sept. 19, 1967. This didn’t deter Abbott, who went on to become a prolific high school baseball pitcher and football quarterback. After graduating from Flint Central High School, Abbott went on to play baseball for the University of Michigan and was named the Big Ten Athlete of the Year in 1988. That same summer, he led the U.S. to an unofficial gold medal in the Summer Olympics, where baseball was a demonstration sport. Abbottwas traded to the Yankees in 1989. On that historic day in September 1993, Abbott used his signature pitching style to throw a no-hitter — the opposing team didn’t record any hits — against the Cleveland Indians. He became the eighth pitcher in the team’s then 90-year history to throw a no- hitter. (Today, Yankees’ pitchers sport 11 no-hitters total.) Throughout his career, rival teams tried to exploit Abbott’s style, but he almost always proved themwrong. He would begin pitching by balancing his glove on his right forearm, and after releasing the ball from his left hand, he’d quickly place his left hand in the glove. After fielding the ball, Abbott would balance his glove between his right arm and his torso, remove the ball with his left hand, and throw the ball. This style of play was a method Abbott developed when he was just a child, but it didn’t come without the support of his teachers, coaches, and parents in Flint. In a 2016 presentation, Abbott credited the adults in his life with pushing him in his childhood.
“[People] say, ‘Jim, you must have been so courageous and motivated and inspired,’” Abbott recalled during his speech. “It was none of those things. There [were] so many times when I was filled with uncertainty and self-doubt and thinking I couldn’t do it, and there was always a teacher there to help me to find a little different way … a coach who literally grabbed me by the jersey and brought me into the game.” Abbott went on to play for many teams, and today, he tours the country as a motivational speaker, encouraging those facing challenges to view their obstacles as advantages — just as his Michigan community members taught him to do.
SPRING VEGETABLE AND CHICKEN PASTA BAKE
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1 cup cooked chicken, diced
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1 14-oz can artichokes, drained and quartered
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1 cup fresh asparagus pieces 1/2 cup carrots, grated 1 1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta 1 3/4 cups chicken broth 1/2 cup fresh chives, chopped and divided
Inspired by TheSeasonedMom.com
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1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped and divided 2 tsp minced garlic
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1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 425 F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. 2. In the prepared dish, stir together cooked chicken, artichokes, asparagus, carrots, uncooked pasta, chicken broth, half the chives, half the parsley, garlic, salt, and 2 tbsp Parmesan. 3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. 4. Uncover and stir. At this point, check the pasta to make sure it is al dente. If it’s undercooked, cover the dish and return to the oven until pasta is tender. 5. Remove from oven and garnish with remaining Parmesan, chives, and parsley.
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