Red Applegate vs. John Axford — Career Comparison

Red Applegate built a career as a starting pitcher and John Axford as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Red Applegate posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.75 and WHIP 1.917 compared to 3.9 and 1.455 for John Axford. By the career numbers, Red Applegate had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.