Jim Abbott Quotes

I believe that challenges can push us beyond what we might otherwise be able to accomplish.

If you keep harping on a disability, then you'll start believing there is one. So I don't.

It was always just trying to move to the next limit. I didn't think about making the major leagues - every kid has that dream, I had it, but when I was in Little League I just wanted to make the junior high team. When I was in junior high, I wanted to make the Varsity team.

I wanted to be like Nolan Ryan. I didn't want to be like Pete Gray ... And I don't want kids to be like me because I have one hand. I want kids to be like Jim Abbott because he's a baseball pitcher at Michigan and he won the Big Ten Championship game, and not because I can field a bunt and throw to first.

I could always throw the ball pretty well and I worked pretty hard at learning how to play the game. But I didn't consider it work as a kid, since I just loved playing baseball.

Never allow the circumstances of your life to become an excuse. People will allow you to do it. But I believe we have a personal obligation to make the most of the abilities we have.

I hope what people learned from watching me is that just because you do things a little differently doesn't mean you can't do them just as well.

I benefited from tremendous encouragement as a kid. So many people reached out to me, helped me, and believed in me even when I didn't always believe in myself.

I still get a lot of letters from kids and parents who face different challenges and disabilities. I share some of the lessons that I learned through sports and baseball, which makes me feel good. It's incredible to have an impact that way.

I knew how far a little boy or girl could run with 50 words of reassurance.

My advice is that you go and do something that you are really driven to do. I loved to play baseball and, because I loved it, I practiced it. Some of us have limitations, but if you are passionate about something and if you have the drive, then you can accomplish it.

I want my career to be judged by what I did on the field. I appreciate the honors.

In the 8th inning you can't hear the roar of the 9th, all you can do to hold yourself together, and trust.

It's not the disability that defines you; it's how you deal with the challenges the disability presents you with.

Find something you love, and go after it, with all of your heart.

I think my career will be remembered for what it was and what it is, and I don't need more than that.

Slowing it all down and analyzing our mental approach is a surprisingly effective way of becoming a better player.

The bible tells us to be grateful in every situation. I am grateful for mine.

There are times when you're tired and times when you don't believe in yourself. That's when you have to stick it out and draw on the confidence that you have deep down beneath all the doubts and worries.

I think you need optimism. I believe that's incredibly important that you be optimistic that you can do things different and still do them just as well. That's very important to success - just to have a positive outlook. I know it's not easy to do that.

My goal is to encourage people to see the possibilities that life holds. So many great things can happen in life, if we can find our own way of doing things, and believe in ourselves, no matter what challenges surround you.

I always wanted to be a shortstop so I could play more often!