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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Jan 11, 2007
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Does anyone else remember that guy that piched for the Expos that only had one hand and was a pitcher? He would have his glove backwards on his stumped hand and after he pitched he would shove his pitching hand down into the glove and get ready to field. I always thought that was amazing, but I always wondered what in the hell would he do if he actually gloved teh ball?? if it were a guy like Furcal that hit the ball, the pitcher could chase rafae but there is no way he coulda caught him. Thus furcal could get an in the park, infield homerun. Kind of ironic and would have been amazing to see.
I wonder where that guy is now.. anyone remember his name?
-BC10
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 25, 2007
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Jim Abbott was a one-handed guy, but I only remember him playing with the Angels and Yankees. He actually threw a no-hitter with the Yankees in 1995 or 1996, if I remember correctly. He might've been an Indian too at some point. Maybe he wound up in Montreal.
As for your question about defense, Abbott would keep his glove backwards on his arm like you said. If he fielded a ball, he would then cradle the glove in his armpit (of the stumped hand arm), remove his hand, grab the ball, and throw it. From what I remember, he was so fluid with it that it never really took that much time. I tried to find a picture of him with that glove tucked under his arm, but I couldn't. Still, I think that's what he did.
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 8, 2007
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Danger pretty much nailed all the details I can remember about him too. I agree that he was so fluid with the switch that it really didn't make him disadvantaged. In fact, I don't recall ever seeing a game or highlight in which a team got a hit on a ball he fielded and couldn't get a throw completed.
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Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 9, 2006
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chad bentz, i remember his wierd looking hand always grossed me out
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Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:Mar 15, 2008
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Jim Abbot played for the White Sox as well I think, but I really do not remember him on the Expos. There was a good book writen about his life a while ago, good guy...
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 25, 2007
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Yeah, it was Bentz. Pretty much the same limitation that Abbott had, except he wasn't anywhere close to being as good as Abbott.
By the way, good call on Abbott pitching with the Sox, and the more I think about it, the more I think he wound up in Milwaukee at some point as well. It's where really unique pitchers and players with strange motions and stances go to die, like Hideo Nomo and Craig Counsell.
Nomo didn't get the memo, it seems...
.... I wonder if Tony Batista ever played with Milwaukee. He'd certainly fit with that crowd.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 29, 2008
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Not a pitcher, but Pete Gray was a one handed outfielder for the Cardinals(?) during WW 2 while a lot of the star players weren't available. Pretty amazing that he could hit with one hand, even if he wasn't facing the best MLB had to offer.
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