R.I.P. John Stearns

1993 Profile: Jim Abbott

"Abbott came from the Angels in a September deal for Yankee first base prospect J.T. Snow and pitchers Russ Springer and Jerry Nielsen.

The tough-luck pitcher went 7-15 despite a 2.77 ERA. He got only 2.64 runs worth of support per nine innings, the lowest ratio among pitchers who made 10 or more starts. The Angels were shut out in four of his losses and held to two runs or fewer in 17 of his 29 starts. In addition, the bullpen blew two of his leads. His ERA was lower than in his 18-11 season of 1991.

Abbott topped the 200-inning mark for the third time in four years. His career mark dropped below .500. He's eligible for free agency after the 1993 season.

Born September 19, 1957, in Flint, Michigan, the Angels made Abbott the eighth overall pick in the 1989 draft after an inspiring amateur career topped by the Sullivan Award and a gold medal in the 1988 Olympics. No one thinks about his birth defect anymore."

-Tony DeMarco (Ft. Worth Star-Telegram) and Tom Pedulla (Gannett Newspapers), The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1993 Edition

"When the trade was finally made- California Angels' Jim Abbott to the Yankees for three minor leaguers- a collective sigh of relief was heard throughout the Bronx.

The much talked about deal that seemed to be in the works through most of the 1992 summer was finally consummated during the Winter Meetings. The transaction brought the Yankees a stopper they've been desperately seeking. His 3-1 record with a 2.01 ERA at Yankee Stadium would suggest a pitcher comfortable with the big-city environment.

The 25-year-old left-hander, who's been an inspiration for all with his ability to compete with just one hand, was the piece to the puzzle that gives the Yankees' rotation instant credibility.

The former University of Michigan standout and US Olympian pitched under conditions in California familiar to Yankee hurlers; he toiled with little run support as the Angels' offense averaged just 2.64 runs for every Abbott start. Despite an unimpressive 7-15 record, Abbott's 2.77 ERA was fifth lowest in the league, and his 2.33 road ERA was second lowest.

Stronger Yankee bats just might change his fortune."

-The New York Yankees Official 1993 Yearbook

"Abbott posted a 7-15 record with a 2.77 ERA in 29 games started for the Angels in 1992. His ERA ranked fifth lowest in the American League and his 2.33 road era ranked second lowest. His seven complete games was second on the Angels staff to Mark Langston and he pitched 200-plus innings (211.0) for the third consecutive season. Abbott was supported with a paltry average of 2.64 runs per game and was 1-6 in his seven complete games.

A consistent pitcher over the entire season, Jim's ERA never rose above 3.57. He had a 3.19 ERA on grass and a minuscule 0.92 ERA (39.0 IP, 4 ER) in five turf starts. Opposing batters hit .263, including .261 by right-handed hitters and .273 by left-handed hitters. Jim pitched seven-plus innings in 22 of 29 starts and walked two or fewer batters in 15 of 29 starts. He threw 3,089 pitches in 1992, an average of 14.6 per inning.

Jim was 4-11 with a 2.96 ERA in 19 pre-break starts, 3-4 with a 2.45 ERA in 19 post-break starts. His post-break ERA was second lowest in the loop to Cal Eldred. His win on June 21 over Oakland gave him at least one victory over every opposing American League club in his career. He spent time on the 15-day disabled list in July with a strained muscle in his right rib cage; it was his first time ever on the DL.

He allowed a career low 12 home runs with all 12 hit by right-handed batters. He has not allowed a homer to a left-handed hitter since September 19, 1991 (Rafael Palmerio at Texas). The 12 homers were the fewest surrendered by an Angels pitcher with 200 or more innings since Nolan Ryan in 1978 (12 HR in 243.0 IP). In his career, Abbott allows an average of one home run every 15.1 innings overall and one home run by left-handed hitters every 63 at-bats (8 in 503 AB).

Abbott did not commit an error in 46 chances, the second most errorless chances among AL pitchers in 1992, behind Baltimore's Ben McDonald (51).

He was obtained by the Yankees at the winter meetings in December 1992 in exchange for first baseman J.T. Snow and pitchers Russ Springer and Jerry Nielsen. He signed a contract for the 1993 season.

In 1991 Jim posted a career best 18-11 record with a 2.89 ERA in just his third major league campaign. He entered the season with 22 career wins in two seasons. He earned the respect of the BBWAA, ranking third in the AL Cy Young voting behind Roger Clemens and Kevin Tapani.

Jim beat 12 of 13 AL teams at least once, going 0-2 against Oakland. He and Langston became the eighth and ninth pitchers in club history to post an 18-win season after having a losing season.

He was 11-5 with a 2.38 ERA and four complete games in the second half. He won a career best seven straight games from August 7-September 8 and eight of ten decisions from August 7-September 24; the two losses in that span came by 1-0 and 3-0 scores. Jim pitched a career high 10 innings on September 24 against Toronto, losing on a 10th inning homer by Pat Borders, with a career high of 13 strikeouts.

He held the opposition to three earned runs or less in 27 of 34 starts and pitched seven-plus innings in 23 of those starts. He threw 3,566 pitches, an average of 14.7 per inning. The Angels blew four save situations in games Jim started. They scored 20 runs in his 11 losses.

Abbott was the winner of the Owner's Trophy (team MVP) with Bryan Harvey. He was also honored as a Victory Awards recipient at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., an award presented by the National Rehabilitation Hospital saluting the individual who best exemplifies exceptional depth of inner strength, purpose and integrity.

After graduating from Flint Central High School in 1985, Jim played baseball for Michigan for three seasons (1986-88). He is working toward a degree in communications. His road roommate was Scott Kamieniecki.

In his freshman year at Michigan, he went 6-2 with a 4.11 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 50.1 innings. He led the Wolverines to the regular season Big Ten title. Abbott was named the March of Dimes Athlete of the Year for 1985 and Most Courageous Athlete for 1986 by the Philadelphia Sportswriters Association.

In 1987, Abbott led the Wolverines to the regular season Big Ten title. He led the club in wins (11), starts (15) and was second in innings (86.1).

After losing the opener to Oklahoma, he reeled off nine straight wins. He had a string of 31 consecutive scoreless innings.

He led Team USA to a Silver Medal in the Pan American Games, winning the semifinal game against Canada. He was 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in three appearances in the competition. Jim carried the American flag in the opening ceremonies in Indianapolis.

He defeated Cuba in Havana on July 18, becoming the first U.S. pitcher in 25 years to be victorious over Cuba. He posted an 8-1 record with a 1.70 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 47.2 innings during the Team USA tour.

Jim won the Golden Spikes Award, annually presented to the outstanding amateur baseball player in the country by the U.S. Baseball Federation. He was a recipient of the Academy Awards of Sports Award for Courage.

1988 was his third and final season at the University of Michigan. The club finished 48-19 with Jim winning team MVP honors. He was named Big Ten Conference Player of the Year and to both the first team All-Big Ten and the Big Ten playoffs all-tournament teams. Jim led the Wolverines in starts (16), complete games (8) and innings pitched (97.2) and was second in strikeouts (82). He had consecutive scoreless streaks of 17 and 25.1 innings.

He led the Wolverines to the NCAA Central Regionals, hurling back-to-back shutouts against Purdue and Adrian. He struck out a career best 12 batters against Adrian.

Among the many honors Jim received in 1988 were being named to the Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball preseason All-American teams and The Sporting News All-American College Baseball team. 

In his college career he combined to go 26-8 with a 3.03 ERA in 46 games (41 starts). He hurled 13 complete games and six shutouts and fanned 186 batters in 234.1 innings. Abbott finished fourth on Michigan's all-time win list and seventh in innings pitched.

He was drafted in the first round (8th pick overall) of the 1988 June free agent draft by the Angels but did not join the club due to participation in the Olympics in Seoul. Scouted by Bob Gardner, Sr.,he was signed by the Angels on August 3.

Abbott threw a complete game 7-hitter in hurling the USA to an Olympic Gold medal in a 5-3 win over Japan. During the USA summer tour he went 8-1 with a 2.55 ERA.

He was selected by the U.S.O.C. as Athlete of the Year for Baseball and was named to the All-Tournament team at the World Baseball Championships in Parma, Italy. Abbott received the prestigious Sullivan Award as the nation's top amateur athlete, becoming the first baseball player to win the award. He was also March of Dimes Amateur Athlete of the Year, Big Ten-Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year and received theTangueray Achievement Award in amateur sports.

Jim started the 1989 season on the Angels roster, marking just the 15th time since the inception of the amateur free agent draft (1965) that a player made his professional debut in the majors. Of the previous 14, nine were pitchers and none won more than six games (Dick Ruthven, 6-9 in 1973).

He made his major league debut on April 8 against Mark Langston and the Mariners in Anaheim and took the loss in a 7-0 Seattle victory (4.2 IP, 6H, 6 R, 3 ER). He allowed singles to the first two batters he faced (Harold Reynolds, Henry Cotto).

Jim's first major league strikeout came five days later against Oakland when he fanned Dave Parker in a 5-0 loss to Oakland. He registered his first win on April 24 against Baltimore in a 3-2 California victory, becoming the first Angel rookie left-handed starter to win a game since Angel Moreno on September 22, 1981. Abbott tossed both of his 1989 shutouts against the Red Sox, including a 5-0 win over Roger Clemens.

He became the first Angel rookie pitcher to post double figures in wins since Mike Fraser in 1987 and the first left-handed Angel rookie since Frank Tanana in 1974. Abbott allowed three earned runs or less in 21 of his 29 starts and the Angels scored 23 runs in his 12 losses. He was named to the Topps All-Star rookie team.

In 1990, the club won consecutive Abbott starts on May 18 and May 23, the only time they would do so that year. He tossed back-to-back walkless complete games on July 13 and July 18, the first Angel to do so since Jim Slaton in 1984. Jim allowed three home runs in the 6th inning of a July 24 game at Oakland, the only time all season he would allow more than one homer in a game.

Jim finished the season with a 10-14 record and a 4.51 ERA, throwing 211.2 innings. He induced 27 grounded-into-double plays, second in the American League. He led the circuit in hits allowed (246), was third in earned runs allowed (106) and had the sixth fewest runs of support (96), averaging 4.08 per game; California scored  15 runs while he was on the mound in his 14 losses. Jim pitched seven-plus innings in 14 of his 33 starts and the bullpen allowed 12 of the 36 runners he left on base to score.

Jim was the winner of the 1992 Tony Conigliaro Award, presented annually to the major leaguer who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage. He is actively involved in the Little League Challenger Division Program. 

Jim has been featured in USA Today, Newsweek, Parade Magazine, Weekly Reader, Collegiate Reader and Baseball America. He was featured during NBC's Olympic coverage and has appeared on ESPN, Good Morning America, CNN, Phil Donahue, George Michael Sports Machine and NBC Weekend Nightly News.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide  

Named left-handed pitcher on Sporting News College All-America team, 1988.

Member of USA Olympic baseball team, 1988.

Led American League pitchers in hits allowed (246), 1990.

Tied for lead among American League pitchers in balks (4), 1991.

Named left-handed pitcher on Sporting News American League All-Star team, 1991.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide 

James Anthony Abbott "Jim" (P)     #25

Born September 19, 1967, in Flint, Michigan, resides in Newport Beach, California. Height: 6-3, weight: 210. Bats left, throws left. College: attended University of Michigan.

Married, Dana (12/14/91)

Major league service: 4 years, 0 days. Opening Day age: 25.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide 

1993 Profile: Mike Stanley

"The deal wasn't announced in big, bold headlines. It was an agate line in the 'transactions' column. And it didn't threaten to upset the balance of power in the American League East.

On January 21, 1992, the Yankees signed veteran catcher Mike Stanley to a one-year, minor league contract. Big deal.

The 'minor league' part didn't frighten Stanley, a veteran of five major league seasons, all with the Texas Rangers. He'd spent time in the minor leagues before. Besides, he was told he would have a chance to win a major league job in spring training, and that's all he wanted. A chance.

The chance came, and when the Yankees broke camp last year, Mike Stanley came north with them. He was to be the right-handed backup to the left-hand hitting Matt Nokes. But don't call Stanley a backup. Manager Buck Showalter didn't.

'Mike is a solid catcher, period,' the manager says. 'I like Mike. I like the way he goes about his business. He's a solid pro.'

He also proved to be a catcher pitchers love to work with because of his ability to call a game and to throw runners out. Not bad for an agate line in the transactions column."

-The New York Yankees Official 1993 Yearbook

"In 1992 Mike was signed by the Yankees to a minor league contract for the season on January 21. He was invited to the major league camp as a non-roster player. He made the team with a strong spring training, hitting .310 in 17 games. He appeared in 68 games for the Yankees and hit .249 with a career best eight home runs and 27 RBIs.

Mike had his contract purchased on April 3. He made his Yankee debut, starting behind the plate, on April 9 against Boston and went 0-for-3. His first hit for the Yankees came in his second start, April 15 at Toronto, a 3rd inning single off Jimmy Key. Mike made four starts in April (the team was 3-1), hitting .400.

He struggled in the month of May, hitting .136. He went 0-for-11 before breaking the skid with his first Yankee home run, a two-run shot on May 18 against California off Chuck Finley. On May 27 at Minnesota, Mike made the first of two 1992 starts at first base.

He continued to scuffle in June as he hit .179 for the month, lowering his average to .200. A highlight came on June 27 against Chicago when he started a rally with a leadoff home run in the 7th inning off Roberto Hernandez in a come-from-behind 8-7 victory.

Mike rebounded with a strong July, hitting .344 in nine starts with three home runs and eight RBIs. On July 9 against Seattle, he hit a grand slam off Randy Johnson in the 1st inning, the third of his career. On July 23 at Seattle, he hit a solo homer in the 8th inning, then stroked a game-tying single with two outs in the 9th in a 5-4, 11-inning win.

Hitting .282 in August, he raised his average to .260. On August 6 against Boston he caught a combined 1-hitter from Sam Militello and Steve Farr. On August 19 against Oakland he knocked in three runs in a 14-3 romp.

He ended the season hitting .214 in September/October. He hit three homers in a seven-day period (Sept.7-16). In that period Mike raised his average to .266, his highest since May 5 when he was hitting .294. He hit .279 (6 HR, 19 RBI) over the last 42 games of the season to raise his batting average from .194 to a season-ending .249.

On September 16 against Chicago, he reached his career high in home runs (8) with a 2nd inning three-run blast off Greg Hibbard. The round-tripper traveled 452 feet, the longest at the Stadium by a Yankee in 1992.

Mike started 54 games in 1992 (C-48, DH-4, 1B-2) and New York was 24-24 in games he started behind the plate. He threw out 28.1% (16-for-57) of attempted base stealers; from August 22-29 he threw out seven of ten attempted base stealers.

He started 45 games against left-handed pitchers and nine against right-handers, hitting .241 (5 HR) against left-handed pitchers, .262 (3 HR) against righties. He hit fourth through eighth in the batting order. Mike hit .222 (3 HR, 11 RBI) in the first half of the season and .267 (5 HR, 16 RBI) after the break. He hit .264 (5 HR) at home and .232 (3 HR) on the road and .303 on artificial turf. Mike batted .249 overall for the third consecutive season.

He signed a two-year contract extension in November 1992. The contract extends through the 1994 season.

Mike was selected by the Rangers in the June 1985 free agent draft in the 16th round. He was scouted by Joe Branzell. He started that season at Salem and hit .556 in four games, was sent to Burlington on June 26 and hit .310 in 13 games, and was promoted to Tulsa on July 11 and hit .309 in 46 games.

He began the 1986 season with Tulsa and was recalled to Texas on June 26. That day his first major league hit, a double, came against Seattle off Steve Fireovid. 

Mike began the 1987 season with Oklahoma City of the American Association and was recalled by the Rangers on June 2. At the time of his recall, Mike was hitting .335, was leading the league in RBIs (54) and was tied for the lead in home runs with 13. He started 54 games for Texas behind the plate, more than any other Ranger catcher. 

He hit a pair of grand slams including the first pinch-hit grand slam in club history on June 27 against Minnesota off Jeff Reardon. Mike's other slam came on July 3 off Cecilio Guante at New York. He missed most of September with chickenpox and pneumonia.

1988 was his first full season in the majors. Mike began the season as the Rangers' regular catcher and started 44 of the club's first 88 games through July 15. A pulled left hamstring put him on the disabled list from July 23-August 13. He made just four starts behind the plate over the remainder of the season. He caught a total of 64 games and finished with a .991 fielding percentage.

Mike played in 67 games in 1989, hitting .246. He made 34 starts with the Rangers overall, including 18 of the last 28 games. After having only three RBIs in his first 48 games, Mike knocked in eight in his last 19 to close out the season. He spent time on the DL (August 19-September 2) with a strained left knee.

He spent the entire 1990 season with Texas, hitting .249 with two homers and 19 RBIs. He played a career high 103 games and tied his career-best with eight doubles. He hit .259 (7-for-29) as a pinch hitter.

Mike's best stretch came from June 17-August 31, hitting .350 (28-for-80) and raising his average from .177 to .264. He broke his left little finger in batting practice on July 21 but did not miss any action. His home run as a pinch hitter came on August 22 against New York.

A versatile player, Mike made 41 starts at catcher, nine as the designated hitter, three at third base and two at second. In 63 games behind the plate, he had a .985 fielding percentage.

Mike played in 95 games for the Texas Rangers in 1991. He made 34 starts behind the plate, five at first base and four at third, hitting .249 with three home runs and 25 RBIs. He walked 34 times and had a .372 on-base percentage. 

He hit .375 (3-for-8, 6 RBIs) with the bases loaded. He hit .277 against left-handed pitchers and .281 at home. 17 of his 45 hits were extra-base hits, including a career high 13 doubles. Eight of his 25 RBIs were game-winning. 

Over the last 29 games of the season, Mike hit .325. He became a free agent on October 14 when he refused an assignment to the minors. 

Mike played four seasons for the University of Florida. He was selected as the All-Southeastern Conference catcher in 1982 and 1984 and was named to the SEC All-Academic team in 1983. In college he played against Rafael Palmeiro, Will Clark, Scott Ruskin, Dave Magadan and Bobby Thigpen. He is working toward a degree in marketing.

He graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Ft. Lauderdale where he starred in both baseball and football. He was all-state and team MVP in both sports as a senior. He also played Little League, Senior League and American Legion baseball.

Mike enjoys fishing and golf. He cites catching Nolan Ryan's seventh no-hitter as among the most dramatic moments in his career."

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide

Michael Robert Stanley "Mike" "Stano" (C)   #20

Born June 25, 1963, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, resides in Oviedo, Florida. Height: 6-0, weight: 190. Bats right, throws right.

Attended the University of Florida.

Married, Erin (1/30/88), and father of Ryan Michael (3).

Major league service time: 5 years, 170 days. Opening Day Age: 29.

-1993 New York Yankees Information Guide 

R.I.P. Lee Thomas