Keith Atherton vs. Charlie Root — Career Comparison

Charlie Root 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. Charlie Root posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.59 and WHIP 1.295 compared to 3.99 and 1.407 for Keith Atherton. By the career numbers, Charlie Root had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.