Jim Abbott vs. Rich Thompson — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Rich Thompson as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Rich Thompson posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.21 and WHIP 1.357 compared to 4.25 and 1.451 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Rich Thompson had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.