Jim Abbott vs. Rex Smith — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Rex Smith 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 5.5 and 2.111 for Rex Smith. By the career numbers, Jim Abbott had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.