Rich Barnes vs. Steamboat Williams — Career Comparison

Rich Barnes built a career as a starting pitcher and Steamboat Williams as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Steamboat Williams posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.42 and WHIP 1.440 compared to 5.65 and 1.919 for Rich Barnes. By the career numbers, Steamboat Williams had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.