Brian Barnes vs. Shad Williams — Career Comparison

Brian Barnes built a career as a starting pitcher and Shad Williams as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Brian Barnes posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.94 and WHIP 1.418 compared to 8.59 and 2.352 for Shad Williams. By the career numbers, Brian Barnes had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.