Joe Bitker vs. Walter Johnson — Career Comparison

Walter Johnson built a career as a starting pitcher and Joe Bitker as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Walter Johnson posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.17 and WHIP 1.061 compared to 4.73 and 1.500 for Joe Bitker. By the career numbers, Walter Johnson had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.