Don Black vs. Ben Bowden — Career Comparison

Don Black built a career as a starting pitcher and Ben Bowden as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Don Black posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.35 and WHIP 1.509 compared to 6.02 and 1.748 for Ben Bowden. By the career numbers, Don Black had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.