Jim Abbott vs. Sam Long — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Sam Long as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Sam Long posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.65 and WHIP 1.431 compared to 20.25 and 3.750 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Sam Long had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.