Jim Abbott vs. Mel Stottlemyre — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Jim Abbott and Mel Stottlemyre are fairly close on the surface numbers. Mel Stottlemyre posted stronger numbers in ERA (2.97 vs 20.25) and WHIP (1.247 vs 3.750). Jim Abbott had the advantage in home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 0.58). By the career numbers, Mel Stottlemyre had the better of this comparison — though ERA and WHIP alone don't account for era, park factors, or the defenses each pitcher worked behind.