Mike Balas vs. Bob Groom — Career Comparison

Bob Groom built a career as a starting pitcher and Mike Balas as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Bob Groom posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.1 and WHIP 1.279 compared to 6.75 and 2.250 for Mike Balas. By the career numbers, Bob Groom had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.