Jim Abbott vs. Josh Sharpless — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Josh Sharpless as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Josh Sharpless posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.41 and WHIP 1.653 compared to 20.25 and 3.750 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Josh Sharpless had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.