Alex Beam vs. Norman Cross — Career Comparison

Norman Cross built a career as a starting pitcher and Alex Beam as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Norman Cross posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.46 and WHIP 1.537 compared to 6.5 and 1.444 for Alex Beam. By the career numbers, Norman Cross had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.