Rick Anderson vs. Al Atkinson — Career Comparison

Rick Anderson built a career as a starting pitcher and Al Atkinson as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Rick Anderson posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.75 and WHIP 2.083 compared to 3.96 and 1.259 for Al Atkinson. By the career numbers, Rick Anderson had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.