February 22, 2004
Chad Bentz - Following in the footsteps of Jim Abbott
Chad Bentz, a left-handed pitcher, is trying to make the Expos bullpen. What's most interesting about him is his lack of a right hand.
Despite being born with a deformed right hand he calls a birthmark rather than a handicap, Chad Bentz hopes to land a job in the Montreal Expos' bullpen. Bentz, 23, throws with his left hand, then switches the glove onto the same hand with lightning speed to be ready to field the ball.
"I don't consider it a handicap," said Bentz. "If I did, I would get a parking sticker.
"It doesn't prevent me from doing anything. I call it a birthmark. I think it would be boring to catch normally, without switching the glove, but I'm sure it's not normal for anyone else."
Playing in the National League means he'll also have to hit. No problem. He hit 23 home runs in high school.
"I can bunt," he said. "I can swing the bat.
"I'm not that good fundamentally, but if they ask me to hit and run, I think I can get the job done."
