The Life and Legacy of Jim Abbott

Season 18Episode 960 minJuli 13, 2025
The Life and Legacy of Jim Abbott

E60 weaves the story of Abbott's life and career around a recounting of the no-hitter, which occurred on Sept. 4, 1993, when the Yankees hosted Cleveland at Yankee Stadium. For Southpaw, E60 secured access to the current Yankee Stadium for a special night of filming with Abbott where he was interviewed on the field and watched and commented on the broadcast of his no-hitter with Schaap on the stadium's big screen.

There has never been a story in sports history quite like Abbott's. Born in Flint, Mich., in 1967 without a right hand, Abbott rose to unexpected prominence as a baseball pitcher, first in his hometown, then at the University of Michigan, where he was named America's best amateur athlete in 1987. After pitching the gold medal winning game for the U.S. at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Abbott was drafted by the California Angels in the first round. After several seasons with the Angels, he was traded to the Yankees.

Throughout Abbott's rise to the highest levels of baseball, he was, at times, a reluctant role model, struggling with the pressure and exclusion that came with being "an inspiration." Abbott's unprecedented and transformational career earned him international fame, and his story affected thousands of disabled and limb-different children across the globe.

Now, 30 years removed from the height of his popularity, Abbott's impact is still felt both on and off the field of play. Southpaw is an unforgettable story about ingenuity, identity and what it's like to be different.

In addition to Abbott himself and members of his family, more than 40 people were interviewed for Southpaw, including Hall of Famers from baseball and some current limb-different athletes.

The Life and Legacy of Jim Abbott has aired on Juli 13, 2025 at 21:00
Previous EpisodeNext Episode

Trailer

We do not have any trailers for this episode

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
The Chicken Sisters
Running

The Chicken Sisters

The Chicken Sisters is a family drama dipped in southern charm and served up with a saucy side of romance. The setting is the fictional town of Merinac, where a generations-old rift between dueling fried chicken restaurants – Mimi's and Frannie's – has left the founders' families fractured and the locals taking sides. When popular cooking competition show Kitchen Clash comes to town, this could be the recipe for ending this feud once and for all. But things are fixing to heat up both inside and outside of the kitchen as the reality show spotlight causes sparks to fly as secrets are spilled and feathers get ruffled.

Irish Blood
Running

Irish Blood

Irish Blood focuses on Fiona, whose path in life is earmarked by her father, Declan, who seemingly abandoned her and her mother on her tenth birthday. After years of channelling anger toward him, to the benefit of her litigious clients, a message from her father sends her to Ireland. There she learns key truths about her father as well as a family that doesn't know she exists, and, moreover, that the story of abandonment that has shaped her entire life - was a lie. A lie intended to protect her and her mother from her father's shady business dealings. Fiona resolves to uncover the full truth about her father and reconnect with the parent she only thought she knew. 

Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft
Running

Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft

Thrust into a high-stakes chase around the world, fearless adventurer Lara Croft confronts her traumatic past while unraveling an ancient mystery.

All Our Wrong Todays
Upcoming

All Our Wrong Todays

All Our Wrong Todays tells the story of Tom Barren, who lives in a world where technology has solved all of humanity's problems — there's no war, no poverty, no under-ripe avocadoes. However, Tom isn't happy, because he's lost the girl of his dreams. So, what do you do when you're heartbroken and have a time machine? You end up in an alternate reality, obviously.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Upcoming

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

A century before the events of "Game of Thrones," two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros… a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg. Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends.