Kevin Appier vs. Henry Elder — Career Comparison

Kevin Appier built a career as a starting pitcher and Henry Elder as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Kevin Appier posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.74 and WHIP 1.314 compared to 8.1 and 2.700 for Henry Elder. By the career numbers, Kevin Appier had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.