Jim Abbott vs. Charlie Kerfeld — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Charlie Kerfeld as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Charlie Kerfeld posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.2 and WHIP 1.572 compared to 20.25 and 3.750 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Charlie Kerfeld had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.