Abbott receives honorary degree

By Peter Melkus
VIEW Sports Writer

BURTON — Flint native Jim Abbott is no stranger to overcoming obstacles and excelling through life’s challenges — qualities that made the former Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher a most ideal candidate to serve as keynote speaker at the University of Michigan-Flint’s 2008 commencement ceremony April 27 at Perani Arena and Event Center.
Before speaking at the ceremony, Abbott, a graduate of Flint Central High School and University of Michigan alumnus, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the U-M Board of Regents — another addition to an already impressive list of accomplishments both on and off the field.
Abbott’s first degree arrived nearly 20 years after he decided to leave U-M in his junior year to help lead the United States baseball team to its first gold medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics. He made his Major League debut for the California Angels soon after the Olympic Games and continued to play professional baseball until his retirement in 1999.
“I’m blown away by the honor,” Abbott said. “I really am very proud of having grown up in Flint and having attended U of M. I have a hard time describing what it means to be recognized like this by a university.”
Born without a right hand, Abbott has utilized his personal struggles and triumphs to build a successful post-baseball career working with physically-challenged children and giving motivational speeches across the country.
“(The honorary degree) encompasses more than just baseball,” Abbott said. “I’ve had so many wonderful experiences meeting with kids and their families. I’ve tried to go about it in a quiet manner, but I think this degree is about that, and I’m very proud.”
In his keynote address, Abbott advised UM-Flint graduates to face all challenges with strong determination and optimism, and if they make the most of their opportunities and the talents they’ve been given, life’s amazing possibilities will be endless.
“It’s been an inspiring weekend for me,” Abbott said. “I always enjoy coming back to my hometown, and to see the pride in parent’s faces and the excitement of the graduating students — it really makes you want to renew some of your life’s commitments.”
Though Abbott himself admits he doesn’t have the first clue on how to go about using an honorary Doctorate of Laws, he said that just receiving the degree has inspired him to continue his nation-wide charity work in the future. First, however, he must head back to California, where he lives with his wife and two daughters, in order to fulfill some high-priority family obligations.
“I’ve got softball coaching responsibilities this week,” Abbott said. “We’re hitting the field tomorrow.”