Jim Abbott vs. Joe Grzenda — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Joe Grzenda as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Joe Grzenda posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4 and WHIP 1.562 compared to 20.25 and 3.750 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Joe Grzenda had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.