Jim Abbott vs. Rick Austin — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Rick Austin as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Rick Austin posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.63 and WHIP 1.721 compared to 20.25 and 3.750 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Rick Austin had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.