Jim Abbott

Biography

Jim Abbott is the famed one-handed major league baseball player, who overcame a birth defect of having only one hand, to be an amazing pro pitcher and ball player. The first baseball player to win the Sullivan Award as the nation’s outstanding amateur athlete, in 1987, Abbott spent hours as a youngster bouncing a ball off a wall to practice fielding as well as throwing. He was the starting quarterback on his high school football team, which went to the finals of the Michigan state championship, and he showed enough promise as a pitcher to be drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays shortly after graduation.

However, Abbott went to the University of Michigan on a baseball scholarship. He had a career record of 26 wins and eight losses at the school. As a member of Team USA in 1987, he became the first American pitcher in 25 years to beat a Cuban team on Cuban soil. The team won a silver medal at the Pan-American Games and Abbott won the US Baseball Federation’s Golden Spikes award as the best amateur player in the country.

In the 1988 Olympics, Abbott was the winning pitcher in a 5-3 victory over Japan that brought the US its first gold medal in baseball. Chosen by the California Angels in the first round of the 1988 amateur draft, he went directly to the major leagues and had a 12-12 record, with a 3.92 earned run average, in 1989. In 1991, his best season to date, he won 18 and lost 11. Despite an ERA of 2.77, Abbott was only 7-15 in 1992, when the Angels scored an average of only 2.54 runs in games that he started.

He was traded to the New York Yankees after the season and had an 11-14 record with them in 1993. Among his victories was a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians on September 4^th.

The Yankees traded Abbott to the Chicago White Sox early in 1995 and he returned to the Angels in mid-season. He became suddenly ineffective in 1996, losing 11 straight games and finishing with a 2-18 record. Abbott then retired for a season, but came back to try again with the White Sox in 1998.

Through stories, anecdotes, jokes, some self-deprecation, and even failure and pain, Abbott was able to overcome perceived limitations, and reach his dreams. Jim Abbott discusses these ideas and talks about what it is like to make it to the “big show.”

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Testimonials

Jim Abbott was fantastic! The crowd absolutely loved him.

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Just want you to know what great feedback we got on Jim Abbott! Not only was his presentation inspiring and interesting, but he is such a humble, warm and genuine NICE GUY! Our group could not have been more thrilled to meet him. He was even kind enough to join our group for 5 innings of a spring training baseball game before heading out to the airport. Our clients got to hang out with a legend and watch baseball!

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Booksby Jim Abbott

Imperfect: An Improbable Life

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Reviews & Ratings

     Excellent  
     Based on 56 reviews 
    
 
 
   
 
 
        
   Waldo Waldman 
 May 19, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I’ve been Speaking professionally for 21 years and work with the largest agencies in the world. I’m a Hall of Fame keynote speaker and a New York Times best selling Author. I have can honestly say in full confidence that Seth Dechtman and his team at Keynote Curator is the best agency I have been honored to work with.
I’ve witnessed Seth’s client focused relationship skills On multiple occasions. His clients love him and he’s detail oriented and has great communication skillls.
But most importantly, I’ve been on the receiving side of his servant, focused leadership style. He treats me like a valued partner and emulates everything a wingman is.
  
 
       
   David Allison 
 May 17, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Seth and the Keynote Curators team are tenacious and determined to do right by their clients and their speakers. I appreciate our relationship so much, and highly reccomend this group to anyone looking to book a speaker for an event.
  
 
       
   Meir Statman 
 May 10, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It is wonderful to join Seth in helping people reflect on their financial and life well-being and enhance them.
  
 
       
   Trevor Wilde 
 April 24, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was an amazing experience. the Keynote Speaker we had was perfect for our event and will definitely be having another for our next one!
  
 
       
   Sandro Forte 
 March 22, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Brilliantly hosted, with great content. An absolute ‘must add’ to any podcast list!
  
 
       
   Jon VanDeventer 
 November 18, 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've been working with Seth at The Keynote Curators for over 3 years. I always look forward to our meetings because of both his professional expertise and his enjoyable, engaging personality. We have fun during our virtual meetings while developing innovative strategies and accomplishing goals. It's obvious from working with Seth over a number of years that he is always making event planning and booking services an easy process and providing responsiveness that sets him apart. He's an excellent partner who gets invested in your business and collaborates through every step of a process that can sometimes feel overwhelming.
  
 
       
   Jason Galaska 
 November 7, 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Seth and his team were fantastic to work with in 2023 and we look forward to working with Keynote Curators to find potential speaker matches for our events in the future.  Thank you, Seth, for your professionalism!
  
 
       
   Hailey Wilson 
 October 23, 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A Treasure Trove for Anyone Involved in Speaker Selection!

As someone deeply involved in the intersection of marketing and technology at AImpact, I find the process of selecting the right keynote speaker to be a critical part of any successful event. Seth Dechtman's "The Keynote Curators" podcast is nothing short of a godsend for anyone facing the challenges and opportunities that come with this task.

Seth brings an almost poetic understanding to the power of words, acknowledging that a speech isn't just a scheduled event but a transformative experience that can change the dynamics of an entire room. His enthusiasm for the craft is contagious, making each episode a joy to listen to.
  
 
       
   Nicole 
 September 14, 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Seth is super knowledgeable about the needs of meeting planners to have a successful event and partners with you to find just that right fit!
  
 
       
   Duncan Sigurdsson 
 August 28, 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Working with Seth Dechtman and The Keynote Curators is always true partnership.  In the three plus years that we have been involved in various projects, I can tell you that they always deliver.  We have done some really cool stuff together.  Any meeting professional, conference planner or event producer will greatly benefit from partnering with The Keynote Curators.  High praise to Seth and his team.