In honor of Ubaldo Jimenez's no-hitter, I've decided to look at some of my favorite N0-No's excluding Dock Ellis (because I already blogged that one)
Jim Abbott is one of my favorite stories ever in baseball. The former University of Michigan standout was born without a right hand, but still made it to the major leagues where he pitched for 10 years from 1989-1999. He appeared with the Angels, Brewers, Yankees and White Sox.
Though he finished with an 87-108 record and a 4.25 ERA Abbott should be forever remembered for his perseverance and toughness. Abbott even had two hits in his major league career with the Brewers against the Yankees in Interleague Play.
On September 4, 1993, Jim Abbott had N0-Hit stuff and the Cleveland Indians found out first hand. Held hittless on the "cloudy day game" as Abbott recalls were Kenny Lofton, Felix Fermin, Carlos Baerga, Albert Belle, Randy Milligan, Manny Ramirez, Candy Maldonado, Jim Thome, Junior Ortiz and Sandy Alomar Jr. in a pinch hit situation. Abbott struck out three, but walked five.
In fact, six days before hand, Abbott was shelled by the very same Indians for seven runs on nine hits in 3.1 innings.
In case your wondering how Abbott was able to field and throw its really quite remarkable. Abbott would rest his glove on his stub of a right hand while pitching with his left. As soon as he would throw, he would slip the glove onto his left hand and then slip it off when he needed to throw it back.
Abbott's no-hitter was the first for a Yankee since Dave Righetti in 1983 did it against Boston. It would also be the first of four no-hitters thrown by Yankee pitchers in the decade. Doc Gooden in 1996, David Wells in 1998 and David Cone in 1999 with the last two being perfect games.
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