Jim Abbott vs. Lou Mahaffey — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Lou Mahaffey as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Lou Mahaffey posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3 and WHIP 1.667 compared to 20.25 and 3.750 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Lou Mahaffey had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.