Les Backman vs. Sam Long — Career Comparison

Les Backman built a career as a starting pitcher and Sam Long 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 4.65 and 1.431 for Sam Long. By the career numbers, Les Backman had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.