Jim Abbott vs. Phil Bickford — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Phil Bickford as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Phil Bickford posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.62 and WHIP 1.302 compared to 20.25 and 3.750 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Phil Bickford had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.