Jim Abbott vs. Dick Hoover — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Dick Hoover as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Dick Hoover posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 7.71 and WHIP 2.357 compared to 20.25 and 3.750 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Dick Hoover had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.