John Axford vs. Jim Baskette — Career Comparison

Jim Baskette built a career as a starting pitcher and John Axford as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jim Baskette posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.3 and WHIP 1.373 compared to 3.9 and 1.455 for John Axford. By the career numbers, Jim Baskette had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.