Jim Abbott vs. Ken Polivka — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Ken Polivka as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Ken Polivka posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3 and WHIP 2.000 compared to 4.25 and 1.451 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Ken Polivka had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.