Rick Anderson vs. Mark Mercer — Career Comparison

Rick Anderson built a career as a starting pitcher and Mark Mercer 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 4.7 and 1.826 for Mark Mercer. By the career numbers, Rick Anderson had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.