Steve Ames vs. Brandon Backe — Career Comparison

Brandon Backe built a career as a starting pitcher and Steve Ames as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Steve Ames posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.5 and WHIP 2.250 compared to 5.23 and 1.563 for Brandon Backe. By the career numbers, Steve Ames had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.