Jim Abbott vs. Jeff Dedmon — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Jeff Dedmon as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jeff Dedmon posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.84 and WHIP 1.530 compared to 20.25 and 3.750 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Jeff Dedmon had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.