ESPN's New Jim Abbott Documentary Airs July 13

SSTN Admin

July 10, 2025

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As shared previously, ESPN reached out to us here at SSTN to announce that a new documentary on Jim Abbott will be coming to their channel on July 13.

ESPN shared the following link to the news release: https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2025/06/new-espn-e60-chronicles-jim-abbott-yankees-pitcher-who-was-born-without-a-right-hand-and-threw-historic-no-hitter/

We suggest going to the news release for more information, but here are some highlights:

Southpaw – The Life and Legacy of Jim Abbott

Debuts Sunday, July 13, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN

The incredible story of Jim Abbott, an unprecedented figure in sports history who was born without a right hand but pitched a no-hitter for the New York Yankees, will be told in a new edition of ESPN E60. The 90-minute program celebrates Abbott’s life and career as well as his lasting legacy for people living with disabilities, who, three decades later, continue to fight for equal treatment and acceptance.

Southpaw – The Life and Legacy of Jim Abbott, reported by Jeremy Schaap, debuts Sunday, July 13, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN, streaming afterward on ESPN+.

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.

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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. Interviewees include:

Kathy Abbott – Jim Abbott’s mother

Chad Abbott – Jim Abbott’s brother

Cal Ripken, Jr. – Baltimore Orioles SS, Baseball Hall of Fame (2007)

George Brett – Kansas City Royals 3B, Baseball Hall of Fame (1999)

Bert Blyleven – Jim Abbott’s California Angels teammate, Baseball Hall of Fame (2011)

Matt Nokes – Yankees C

Don Mattingly – Yankees 1B

Wade Boggs – Yankees 3B, Baseball Hall of Fame (2005)

Buck Showalter – Yankees manager

Jim Thome – Cleveland 3B, Baseball Hall of Fame (2018)

Carlos Baerga – Cleveland 2B

AND many more!!!