Jim Abbott #1T

It's Episode #200! Our show has finally crossed the Mendoza Line for Podcasts. Thank you for listening! One of the best baseball stories, we talked about Jim Abbott! Born without a right hand, Abbott won Golden Spikes, a gold medal, pitched a no hitter, and was one of MLB's best pitchers in 1991-92. Truly an inspiration. Also he was on Boy Meets World! 

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• ⁠Follow-Up: Larry Bird is good at ⁠baseball⁠, too
• Jim Abbott SABR Bio by ⁠Rick Swaine
• Baseball America: Where Are They Now?⁠
• Abbott's ⁠No Hitter⁠
• Baseball Hall's ⁠Scouting Reports
• NYT: Jim, "⁠A Most Extraordinary Fella⁠"
• Jim''s highlight reel: 
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• Jim's TED Talk:
• Jim Abbott on Boy Meets World: 

Mike Flanagan #623

 

This week, the tragic story of Mike Flanagan. The 1979 AL Cy Young winner and 1983 World Series champ was one of the Baltimore Orioles all time greats! In his Cy Young season he went 23-9 with a 3.08 ERA for the AL Champs. In his career he finished 167-143 and is on the Orioles all time top 10 list for wins, games, Ks, pitching WAR, innings, CGs and shutouts. Sadly, Mike died by suicide in 2011. He was a a beloved broadcaster, friend, and father.

Listen:

⁠Mike Flanagan's SABR Bio by ⁠Mike Huber

AP Story⁠ about Mike's passing

⁠Camden Chat⁠ about Mike

⁠Tim Kurkjian⁠ remembers Mike Flanagan

⁠988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Mike's ⁠booth partners⁠ remember him: 

Jose Cruz #278

 

This week we welcomed Adam Darowski of Sports Reference back to the pod to discuss Astros Legend José Cruz! Cruz was an underrated player who quietly was one of the best OFs from 1975-86. An Astros and Winter League legend, José spent 40+ years with Houston! He remains in the Astros Top 10 in hits, runs, average, WAR, runs, doubles, triples, steals, RBIs, Walks, and almost everything else! 

Topics - brothers, sons, PR Winter League, RBI Corner!

Listen: 

Card 278 on ⁠Beckett⁠

SABR Bio by ⁠Jane Schupmann Hewitt⁠

Baseball Hall Card Corner - ⁠1975 Topps #514⁠

Jose's Puerto Rican League ⁠Stats⁠

Stathead Search: ⁠Position Players by WAR, 1975-1986⁠

Follow Adam on ⁠Twitter

⁠Listen to the Building the Ballot ⁠Podcast: