Jim Abbott vs. Dean Deetz — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Dean Deetz as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Dean Deetz posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.4 and WHIP 1.500 compared to 20.25 and 3.750 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Dean Deetz had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.