Les Backman vs. Joel Johnston — Career Comparison

Les Backman built a career as a starting pitcher and Joel Johnston as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Les Backman posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.61 and WHIP 1.453 compared to 4.31 and 1.296 for Joel Johnston. By the career numbers, Les Backman had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.