Jim Abbott vs. Old Hoss Radbourn — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Old Hoss Radbourn as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Old Hoss Radbourn posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.68 and WHIP 1.149 compared to 4.25 and 1.451 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Old Hoss Radbourn had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.