Jim Abbott vs. Charlie Buffinton — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Charlie Buffinton as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Charlie Buffinton posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.96 and WHIP 1.234 compared to 20.25 and 3.750 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Charlie Buffinton had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.