The Michigan Daily-- Monday, October 15, 1990 - Page 11 l& 14 c K6 4o, 7I 466 o ,s Abbott The former Wolverine pitcher Mike Gill Fans respond to Gill 's5 criticism M 1 K t 5 t E discusses life in the maj Jim Abbott pitched for Michigan until 1988, when he %- named MVP of the Big Ten. In 1987, he won the Sullivan award for being the top amateur athlete in the *nited States. He has also won the olden Spikes award, presented to the best amateur baseball player in the country. His record as a Wolverine pitcher was 26-9, and he was drafted in the first round of the 1988 amateur baseball draft by the Cal'fornia Angels. He immediately joined the Angels' starting rotation and has won 22 games for California in his two big league seasons. What Takes Abbott's story even more im- pressive is the fact that he was born without a right hand. Daily sports writer Eric Sklar had the chance to talk with Abbott after he pitched in yesterday's alumni baseball game. Daily: Coming out of high school into the Michigan program, did you have any doubts about whether or not you could pitch on ' ecollege level? Abbott: A little bit. You never know what the next level is going to bring. There were a lot of good play- ers here when I came here, Casey Close, Hal Morris, and a bunch of others. I had some doubts. D: Was it the same situation when you went to the major leagues? A: There's thesame kind of un- *ertainty about the next level. D: Were you surprised that you made it into the major leagues right from college? A: Sort of. If you asked me if I ever would've thought that would've happened, I don't think I would've said that. I was lucky that I was with a team that needed pitching and the situation was open. D: Last year, the Angels' season was a little bit disappointing coming off the year that you all had two years ago. Did you expect to be a lot better this year? A: I think expectations are kind of a tough thing to deal with. When you expect certain numbers and cer- tain things to happen, you get your- self into trouble, so I try not to do that. I think that's what happened with our team this year. We expected to contend with Oakland and a lot of things came into play. I try not to set too high expectations, but I still try to set reasonable goals. D: What are your goals as a ma- jor league pitcher? A: I think over the last couple of years I've just been trying to im- prove, which I think I did a lot last year. And just try to build a founda- tion for a good career and get the most of my ability. To be able to look back and know that I worked as hard as I could. or leagues A: I don't really try to be more than who I am. I play baseball for a living, and I've been really fortunate to have opportunities to play at dif- ferent levels. Because of that I've had a lot of exposure. If people get more out of my playing, then that's fine. I don't try to be a role model or any- thing like that. If people draw inspi- ration from my playing baseball, then that's fine. Outside of that, I don't think it's fair to put that upon somebody. To ask them to be more than that. D: Obviously, you have a lot of talent. Do you think that your hand- icap discouraged college or major league scouts when they were scout- ing you? A: I don't think so. I think that if you look back, with my being here, I got a chance to play at a Big Ten school, and, obviously, I've had the opportunity in the pros. Maybe some people thought that way, but there were more people who gave me a chance, and I'm thankful for that D: What was it like to play on the U.S. Olympic team? A: Playing on the Olympic team was fantastic. Winning the gold medal was an experience that I thought I would never have. It was the best day of my life. D: Was it something that you dreamed about? A: Well, I don't think so. I don't think as a baseball player, you really dream too much about playing in the Olympics. If you get the opportu- nity, you're really fortunate. To pitch that last game was a tremen- dous thrill. D: Does all the publicity that you get bother you? Do you get tired of it? A: You don't pay too much at- tention to it after a while. I play the games, and I'll keep some personal time to myself. I'm pretty much a private person. I don't like too much of it to get in my life. I just try to say no and disappear. Three weeks ago, I wrote that I thought Michigan's fans were not quite up to par. Saturday's crowd was possibly the best I've seen, but the game was one of the most exciting I've ever seen. Before laying the issue to rest once and for all, I thought I'd turn this column over to the readers who voiced their opinions this week. I thank everyone who took their time to write or call to show their concern. Surprisingly, support of my thesis was far greater than I expected. Many fans shared the same opinion. Here are some of the responses: To the editor: Hats off to Mike Gill for having the courage to say what had to be said: "'M' Fans: Wake up!" (September 24, 1990). Ever since coming to Michigan last fall, I have been amazed by the attitudes of what would appear to be typical Michigan fans - students, alumni, local sports editors, etc. It would seem that none of Michigan's opponents are ever expected to score against the home team. If they dared do so, fans and editors seem to either get edgy or insist that Michigan suffered a letdown of some kind. What a complacent attitude! Aren't there any other good football teams in America? Has success spoiled the fan, making he or she think in such a fashion? Worth mentioning in my opinion, however, is the attitude of the student cheering section against Maryland. In my mind, it was the best I've seen it in two years. It was truly a great day for Michigan and its fans. We did the wave, partook of some singing, pranced to the tune of Rocky and Bullwinkle, and stayed interested in the game, even till the end. On that day, I was proud, for the first time to be a Wolverine fan. I think Mike Gill's column had some effect. Something happened, that's for sure. What appears to be lacking, on a grand scale, is SCHOOL SPIRIT! You know, the way you used to feel back in high school? If there was a way that we all could transfer some of that old enthusiasm to our new alma mater, things would change in a hurry. Sincerely yours, Jack Kelly, Graduate Student School of Natural Resources Dear Michigan Daily, I am a Michigan football fan, but my brother Mark is a bigger fan and has been longer. Sometimes I can't decide whether to root for them or Michigan State. I remember the game they won 24-15 - I think in 1980. I really don't see what's wrong with Michigan fans. Anytime a team wins as often as they do, fans tend to go "less nuts" when their team plays. When the Canadians won their Stanley Cups in the 1970's, I remember that the fans just seemed to sit and watch the game sometimes. Winning is fun, but that is not really the true test of a fan. Some people desert you when you come in second place in a pool tournament. I know some people who are glad I came in second. I won last night - I'm glad that my two friends were there and they didn't desert me. I'll take two true friends rather than 2,000 fair weather ones. Yours Truly, Joseph P.S. Red Wing fans are the best in the world. Although I was rather disappointed with firing Jacques. Nothing personal against Mr. Murray, but I'd rather have, seen them replace him with John Brophy. Joe: I've got to ask you some questions. What the hell are you rambling about? And what's your last name? And how the heck did you get around to discussing some pool tournament? If you want coverage, call the Daily. And how did you finish in second place? Did you mess up and hit the eight ball in the hole before you were supposed too? It was 1978 that MSU won, not 1980, but I'm glad to hear that your brother's a big fan too. Thanks for the info. And how.: can you call yourself a Jacques Demers fan when you want the ultimate Demers hater in John Brophy to tako- his job? Get a clue. Dear Mike, I wrote the attached note prior to seeing your column in the Michigan Daily (September 24, 1990). Having live wolverine in residence at U-M might help spark fan enthusiasm. It doesn't necessarily mean one has to have: the wolverine at the stadium on football Saturdays. The wolverine could stay at its quarters - where fans could visit before and after games and at other times. For' that matter, it may be that fan enthusiasm is more a state of mind than a measurement in decibels. Maybe it's a' good feeling somnewhere within. Enough of this - let's think about Saturday.e Class of 1954 Here is what Dr. Whale's research found: In looking back into the history of mascots for U-M teams, I discovered articles in various issues of the Mich- igan Daily (fall of 1927) pertaining to the appearance of two live wolverines (borrowed from the Detroit Zoo) in at least two football games that fall, including the one that marked the dedication of Michigan Stadium. The May/June 1989 issue of the U-M Alumni Magazine had an article reporting the appearance of "Treppy," a live wolverine, at the Michigan-Michigan State football game in 1939. This wolverine lived in a small zoo behind the U-M Natural Science Museum. The concept of having a live wolverine or two, at U- M seems feasible today. In recent years, the Milwaukee County Zoo has had two wolverines in residence, though one has since died. Maybe "superfan" Adam Miller (see Michigan Daily September 19, 1990) would support suchC a plan. We'd need a name or names and a suitable location. Dr. Whale: In talking with Interim Athletic Director Jack Weidenbach I told him of your suggestion. "Ar~, there any live wolverines," he asked. Weidenbach told of a stuffed one which used to sit in his office and now, presides in the Center of Champions. I think that's as close as we'll get to a live wolverine entering Ann Arbor city limits. It's a novel idea, and it sure as heck beats Willy the Wolverine. Abbott D: Have you been working on any new pitches or anything new? A: Well, I've been working on an off-speed pitch a little bit. I've been working on everything overall. There's always something to work on. D: Who's the toughest hitter for you to pitch against? A: George Brett. D: Are the Royals as a team the toughest for you to face? A: No. Oakland's an awful tough team. They can do a lot of different things to you. The Royals have been pretty tough also. They're all pretty tough. 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