Tom Baker vs. Nick Blackburn — Career Comparison

Nick Blackburn built a career as a starting pitcher and Tom Baker as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Tom Baker posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3 and WHIP 1.500 compared to 4.85 and 1.485 for Nick Blackburn. By the career numbers, Tom Baker had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.