Tommy Atkins vs. Joe Bitker — Career Comparison

Tommy Atkins 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. Tommy Atkins posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.86 and WHIP 1.381 compared to 4.73 and 1.500 for Joe Bitker. By the career numbers, Tommy Atkins had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.