Keith Atherton vs. Paul McClellan — Career Comparison

Paul McClellan built a career as a starting pitcher and Keith Atherton as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Keith Atherton posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.99 and WHIP 1.407 compared to 5.26 and 1.449 for Paul McClellan. By the career numbers, Keith Atherton had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.