Jeff Austin vs. Al Downing — Career Comparison

Al Downing built a career as a starting pitcher and Jeff Austin as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Al Downing posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.22 and WHIP 1.283 compared to 6.75 and 1.730 for Jeff Austin. By the career numbers, Al Downing had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.