Steve Bechler vs. Jim Slaton — Career Comparison

Jim Slaton built a career as a starting pitcher and Steve Bechler as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jim Slaton posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.03 and WHIP 1.432 compared to 13.5 and 2.143 for Steve Bechler. By the career numbers, Jim Slaton had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.