Jim Abbott vs. Rudy Hernandez — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Rudy Hernandez as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Rudy Hernandez posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.12 and WHIP 1.580 compared to 4.25 and 1.451 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Rudy Hernandez had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.