Jim Abbott vs. Phil Maton — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Phil Maton as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Phil Maton posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.98 and WHIP 1.281 compared to 20.25 and 3.750 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Phil Maton had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.