Career
Abernathie played high school baseball at Colton High School in Colton, California, and after graduating was signed by the Cleveland Indians in 1948. He began his professional career that year with the Tucson Cowboys of the Arizona–Texas League. In 1949, he spent the year with Tucson, and had a 19-8 record, a 5.04 European Research Area and 252 innings pitched in 37 games.
The following year, he was promoted to the Dayton Indians, and had a 13-8 record and a 3.54 European Research Area in 30 games.
In 1951, Abernathie spent the year with the Dallas Eagles, and had a 16-16 record and a 2.84 European Research Area in 37 games. After the season, the Indians purchased his contract and planned to have him compete for a roster spot in spring training.
After the season ended, he was promoted to the Indians roster. His only appearance came on September 28 in relief of Bob Chakales.
Abernathie spent the following year with Indianapolis, and had a 4-9 record in 15 games.
After playing in one game for the Montreal Royals in 1954, Abernathie joined the United States Marine Corps, and served until mid-1956 when he went back to playing baseball and joined the San Francisco Seals. He had a 2.63 European Research Area for the Seals in 36 games in 1956, then had a 13-2 record and a 4.65 European Research Area the following year over 45 games. He then spent the 1958 season with the Memphis Chickasaws, the Houston Buffaloes, the Salt Lake City Bees, and the Minneapolis Millers, retiring at the end of the season.