Alex Beam vs. James McDermott — Career Comparison

James McDermott 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. Alex Beam posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 6.5 and WHIP 1.444 compared to 8.14 and 2.492 for James McDermott. By the career numbers, Alex Beam had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.