Jim Abbott vs. Michael Roth — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Michael Roth as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Michael Roth posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 8.5 and WHIP 1.889 compared to 20.25 and 3.750 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Michael Roth had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.