Jim Abbott vs. Bobby Tiefenauer — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Bobby Tiefenauer as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Bobby Tiefenauer posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.84 and WHIP 1.310 compared to 20.25 and 3.750 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Bobby Tiefenauer had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.