Scott Barnes vs. Herb Thomas — Career Comparison

Herb Thomas built a career as a starting pitcher and Scott Barnes as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Scott Barnes posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.2 and WHIP 1.265 compared to 8.08 and 1.980 for Herb Thomas. By the career numbers, Scott Barnes had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.