Read Imperfect: An Improbable Life Online
Authors: Jim Abbott,Tim Brown
I didn’t want to be different.
Family photo
New shirt, check. Toughskins, check. Right arm, check. My first day of kindergarten.
Family photo
Dad taught me how to fish with a Zebco reel, which led to the first and last big fish I ever caught.
Mike Abbott
Dad, as a promising freshman for St. Matthew’s football team.
The Flint Journal
The day Flint Central beat Midland in the state playoffs. That’s Danny Nathan on the left, Andy Turpen hoisting me on his shoulder, and Stuart Kale on the right.
The Flint Journal
I loved everything about the University of Michigan, including Ray Fisher Stadium.
University of Michigan
My Connie Mack coach, Ted Mahan, wore number 5 at Michigan. My number 5 was a tribute to him.
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Wearing the Olympic-issued warm-ups and gold medal, and I more proud of my city than it was of me.
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Tiger Stadium, my rookie year. I’d grown up dreaming about playing on that field.
Still Perfection © 1990 D. Sell
Gene Autry, as kind a gentleman as I ever met, never said a harsh word about anyone.
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My brother, Chad, takes in my big-league debut at Anaheim Stadium. I’m glad he was okay. I was a little nervous.
Mike Abbott
Dana and I at the White House to receive a 1991 Victory Award.
Family photo
Hiding my grip on the baseball was a challenge. This is a fastball, which the first-base coach and everyone in the first-base dugout could have told you.
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