Glenn Abbott

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William Glenn Abbott

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Biographical Information[edit]

Wes Stock, my pitching coach in Oakland, had gone up there, and I was excited about going to a new ballclub, but I never dreamed the team would be so crummy. I went from an A's team that had won three straight World Series with still quite a few veterans on it, to a team of young guys who didn't know what they could do." - Glenn Abbott, 2002

Glenn Abbott pitched eleven big league seasons. He was among the earliest, most reliable hurlers for the Seattle Mariners.

Originally property of the A's, Glenn debuted in 1973 with the Oakland Athletics and saw spotty action over his first four big league seasons. On September 28, 1975, he pitched 1/9th of a no-hitter over the California Angels on the last day of the regular season, relieving Vida Blue, who threw the first five innings. Abbott retired Ike Hampton, Jerry Remy, and Dave Chalk in order in the 6th inning before being replaced by Paul Lindblad (7th inning) and Rollie Fingers (8th and 9th innings). This was the first four-pitcher combined no-hitter in history.

Abbott was chosen by the Seattle Mariners in the 1976 expansion draft and was the winningest pitcher during their inaugural campaign of 1977, going 12-13, 4.45 for a team that went 64-98. A mainstay in the starting rotation for those early Mariners squads, he again led the M's in victories in 1980, going 12-12, 4.10 while the team's record was just 59-103. His tenure with Seattle ended in August 1983 when he was purchased by the Detroit Tigers who were in the midst of a pennant race. He pitched well in 7 starts down the stretch even though the Tigers failed to get to the postseason. Abbott returned to Detroit in 1984 with limited opportunities which, combined with uneven performances, led to his release in August, months before the club won their most recent World Series title. He never re-surfaced as a pitcher.

Glenn primarily wore number 17 during his career. His son, Todd Abbott, pitched for a time in the Oakland A's chain. After retiring in 1985, Glenn started a long career as a minor league pitching coach:

Notable Achievements[edit]

  • 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 2 (1977 & 1980)
  • Won a World Series with the Oakland Athletics in 1974 (he did not play in the World Series)

Further Reading[edit]

  • Clifford Corn: "Glenn Abbott", in Mark Pattison and David Raglin, ed.: Detroit Tigers 1984: What A Start! What A Finish!, SABR Publications, Phoenix, AZ, 2012, pp. 35-37. ISBN 1933599448
  • Clifford Corn: "Glenn Abbott", in Chip Greene, ed.: Mustaches and Mayhem, Charlie O's Three-Time Champions: The Oakland Athletics 1972-74, SABR, Phoenix, AZ, 2015, pp. 360-364. ISBN 978-1-943816-07-1

Related Sites[edit]

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