Brandon Backe vs. Newt Kimball — Career Comparison

Brandon Backe built a career as a starting pitcher and Newt Kimball as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Newt Kimball posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.78 and WHIP 1.426 compared to 5.23 and 1.563 for Brandon Backe. By the career numbers, Newt Kimball had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.