Red Applegate vs. Joe Bitker — Career Comparison

Red Applegate built a career as a starting pitcher and Joe Bitker 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 4.73 and 1.500 for Joe Bitker. By the career numbers, Red Applegate had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.