John Axford vs. Frank Shellenback — Career Comparison

Frank Shellenback 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. Frank Shellenback posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.06 and WHIP 1.424 compared to 3.9 and 1.455 for John Axford. By the career numbers, Frank Shellenback had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.