Jim Abbott vs. Norm Baker — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Norm Baker as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Norm Baker posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.39 and WHIP 1.325 compared to 20.25 and 3.750 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Norm Baker had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.