Jim Austin vs. Cole Hamels — Career Comparison

Cole Hamels built a career as a starting pitcher and Jim Austin as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jim Austin posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.06 and WHIP 1.380 compared to 3.43 and 1.199 for Cole Hamels. By the career numbers, Jim Austin had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.