Steve Baker vs. Mike James — Career Comparison

Steve Baker built a career as a starting pitcher and Mike James as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Mike James posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.67 and WHIP 1.436 compared to 5.13 and 1.671 for Steve Baker. By the career numbers, Mike James had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.