Brandon Backe vs. Bill Kelso — Career Comparison

Brandon Backe built a career as a starting pitcher and Bill Kelso as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Bill Kelso posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.13 and WHIP 1.393 compared to 5.23 and 1.563 for Brandon Backe. By the career numbers, Bill Kelso had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.