Kurt Abbott was a member of the '97 World Champs.
If you followed the then-Florida Marlins during the 1997 World Championship season, you may remember the name Kurt Abbott. He was a shortstop, who averaged .274 at bat during that winning season. Abbott is now working as a deputy with the Martin County Sheriff's Office and has been placed on paid administrative leave following a DUI arrest over the Memorial Day weekend. A Stuart Police officer pulled Abbott over after clocking him going more than 60 mph in a 45 mph zone along Martin Downs Blvd. early Saturday morning. While the former baseball player was pulled over by a Stuart cop, a fellow Martin County deputy was called to the scene, since it was that agency's jurisdiction. According to the arrest report, Abbott smelled of alcohol, his speech was slurred, eyes were bloodshot and he declined a field sobriety test. He is also accused of cursing and yelling at deputies once at the Martin County Jail, and refusing to take a breathalyzer test. Abbott was released from jail on bond.
Interesting Notes:
Abbott earned an average of more than $4.3 million during his nine year MLB career, which included 4 years with the Marlins, time with the Colorado Rockies and the Oakland Athletics. He also was a member of the 2000 National League Champion New York Mets, but ended his career abruptly the following season with an injured Achilles tendon while playing for the Atlanta Braves. TCPalm reports he now earns $51,624 annually with the Martin County Sheriff's Office, where he has worked since 2006. He has accumulated several commendations while on the job. Abbott previously worked for the Stuart Police Department.
