Flint native and former Michigan baseball player Jim Abbott received the prestigious Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday.
The award goes annually to a deserving member of the sporting world who has overcome great obstacles through perseverance and determination.
Abbott was the first MLB pitcher to play with one hand after he was born without a right hand. After a standout collegiate career at Michigan from 1986-88, he pitched for one decade in the big leagues, from 1989-99.
Abbot was honored for paving the way for people with a birth defect. He was presented the award at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York by Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander.
“Being born this way, I knew what it was like to be different,” Abbott said during his acceptance speech. “I knew what it was like to be on the outside looking in. And I knew what it was like to want to prove yourself and be on a team. Of all of the great blessings that sports have given me, that sense of belonging is the best.
“It’s taught me important lessons that it’s important to believe that you can do things differently in this world and still do them just as well as anybody else. It’s important to have focus on what’s been given rather than what’s taken away and believe in who you are.”
Several other athletes with local ties were in the running for an ESPY award, including Connor Hellebuyck, Megan Keller, Hilary Knight and Matthew Stafford, but all of them came up empty.
Hellebuyck, a Commerce Township native and goaltender with the NHL’s Jets, was nominated for “Best Championship Performance” for his role in helping the U.S. men’s hockey team win gold. That award went to Jalen Brunson for guiding the Knicks to their first NBA championship since 1973.
Keller, a Farmington Hills native, was nominated for “Best Play” for scoring the golden goal in Team USA’s win over Canada in the gold medal game at the Olympics. The award went to OG Anunoby’s tip-in during the Knicks’ Game 4 win over the Spurs helped New York complete a 29-point comeback.
Knight, one of the most decorated players in women’s hockey who was traded to PWHL Detroit, and Stafford, the former Lions quarterback who plays for the Rams, were up for “Best Athlete, Men’s Sports” and “Best Athlete, Women’s Sports.” Brunson and WNBA star A’ja Wilson took home those awards.
Stafford also came up short in “Best NFL Player” to new teammate Myles Garrett, who set an NFL record with 23 sacks for the Browns last season.
USA men’s hockey, including Hellebuyck, and USA women’s hockey, including Keller and Knight, were both nominated for “Best Team,” which went to the Knicks.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Jim Abbott, Flint native and ex-Wolverine, honored at ESPYs
Reporting by Detroit News staff and wires / The Detroit News
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By Detroit News staff and wires | USA TODAY Network
