Jim Abbott vs. Steve Stemle — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Steve Stemle 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 8.64 and 1.920 for Steve Stemle. By the career numbers, Jim Abbott had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.