The Nice List, Angels style. Who made the cut?

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ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 31: Pitcher Jim Abbott #25 of the California Angels readies to throw a pitch during an MLB game against the Cleveland Indians on May 31, 1992 at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

#9- Jim Abbott –

Jim Abbott was one of the best athletes to ever don an Angel uniform and he did it twice from 1989 to 1992 and then again from 1995 to 1996. What made Abbott so unique was that he was born with only a baby-like hand which he couldn’t stretch out. He would balance his glove on his right hand and switch it onto his left after he would throw a pitch and he very rarely made errors.

While in college at the University of Michigan he also hit close to .400 one-handed. He even got a triple in a Spring Training game for the Angels. He also pitched a no-hitter for the Yankees in 1993 which was definitely a special moment.

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My only encounter with Abbott was not very long about five minutes in 1990 when I was down in the right field-corner and he signed an autograph for me and I had a short conversation with him. He was very nice & genuine, standing there signing autographs for like 20 minutes. I have also heard from pretty much everyone who has had an encounter with him has said nothing but nice things about him.

Abbott handled all the fanfare surrounding his physical challenge with grace and class even when things were not going well for him on the mound (1996 Abbott went 2-18 with a 7.48 ERA), I feel lucky to have met him even if it was for only a short time.

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