​Jim Abbott is a former MLB pitcher who was born without a right handHe spent 10 years in the major leagues and also won a gold medal at the 1988 Seoul OlympicsIn 2025, Abbott was the subject of a Peabody Award-winning ESPN documentary titled Southpaw: The Life and Legacy of Jim AbbottJim Abbott is one of the most inspirational figures in baseball history.The former MLB pitcher, who was born without a right hand, spent 10 years in the major leagues after getting drafted out of the University of Michigan in 1988. He won a gold medal that year with Team USA at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and threw a legendary no-hitter at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 4, 1993.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn June 2026, an ESPN documentary about Abbott, titled Southpaw: The Life and Legacy of Jim Abbott, won a Peabody Award. Now, Abbott is set to receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the 2026 ESPY Awards on July 15 in recognition of a career that has inspired generations of athletes.“Overcoming obstacles and pushing past traditional limitations on the mound was my way of showing what is possible when you refuse to give up,” Abbott said in a statement, per USA Today. “I hope it serves as a reminder to the next generation of athletes that our perceived limits do not define our potential.”So, where is Jim Abbott now? Here’s everything to know about the pitcher’s life after he retired from professional baseball.Jim Abbott pitching for the California Angels in 1996Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/GettyJames Anthony Abbott was born on Sept. 19, 1967, in Flint, Mich., to parents Mike and Kathy Abbott.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe was born without a right hand and was interested in sports from an early age, according to the Society for American Baseball Research.Though his parents initially tired to steer him toward soccer, he soon fell in love with baseball.At age 11, Abbott threw a no-hitter in the first Little League game he pitched. He went on to play both baseball and football in high school.Following graduation, the star was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays. He turned down the offer to attend the University of Michigan, however.At Michigan, Abbott went 26-8 and was named the 1988 Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year, according to the university’s website. He also received the 1987 Golden Spikes Award and the 1988 Sullivan Award.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn 1988, Abbott was selected in the first round of the MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels, who were then known as the California Angels, per the league’s website.He posted a 12-12 record in his debut season. Abbott was traded to the New York Yankees ahead of the 1993 season. Abbott later returned to the Angels for two seasons starting in 1995.He also played for the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers, before retiring after the 1999 season with a career record of 87 wins and 108 losses.Jim Abbott at the 1988 OlympicsCredit: Bettmann Archive/GettyBefore Abbott ever threw a pitch in p