Jim Abbott vs. Keith Atherton — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Keith Atherton as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Keith Atherton led in walk avoidance (BB%+ 111 vs 95), strikeout rate (K%+ 88 vs 81), and run prevention (ERA+ 97 vs 92). Jim Abbott held the edge in home run suppression (HR9+ 103 vs 68). Keeping the role difference in mind, the edge still goes to Keith Atherton.