Jim Abbott vs. Jose Acosta — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Jose Acosta as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jim Abbott posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.25 and WHIP 1.451 compared to 4.51 and 1.561 for Jose Acosta. By the career numbers, Jim Abbott had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.