Jim Abbott vs. Bill Caudill — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Bill Caudill as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Bill Caudill posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.68 and WHIP 1.372 compared to 20.25 and 3.750 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Bill Caudill had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.