Jim Abbott vs. Brian Smith — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Brian Smith as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Brian Smith posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 10.38 and WHIP 1.846 compared to 20.25 and 3.750 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Brian Smith had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.