The First Step...: ...and the agony of the feet...

by Jim Abbott

Jim Abbott is the author of THE CLEAR HARD LIGHT OF JACKSON C. FRANK,
his highly regarded 2014 memoir and basis for two documentaries.
In 2011 he decided to do something meaningful, and dangerous---walking across the US for two reasons--charity and an obsession with the Golden Gate Bridge as a choice of venue for too many sad people to end their lives. He learned from his journey that this country is such a big beautiful place that nobody should resort to that and he hopes that no one else will.

375 pages, Paperback

Published June 23, 2026

About the author

Jim Abbott was born September 19, 1967, in Flint, Michigan without a right hand. He was an All-America hurler at Michigan; won the Sullivan Award in 1987; was the pitcher for the Gold Medal Olympic Team in 1988; and threw a 4-0 no-hitter for the New York Yankees versus Cleveland (September 4, 1993). Jim played for 10 seasons on 4 different teams and ended his big league playing career in 1999.

Abbott has worked with The Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) on several initiatives encouraging businesses to hire people with disabilities.

Today, in addition to often being a Guest Pitching Instructor during Spring Training for the Los Angeles Angels, Jim Abbott is a motivational speaker. (From JimAbbott.com.)