Al Atkinson vs. Unknown DeShield — Career Comparison

Unknown DeShield built a career as a starting pitcher and Al Atkinson as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Unknown DeShield posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.6 and WHIP 1.200 compared to 3.96 and 1.259 for Al Atkinson. By the career numbers, Unknown DeShield had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.