Jim Blackburn vs. Mike Walker — Career Comparison

Mike Walker built a career as a starting pitcher and Jim Blackburn as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jim Blackburn posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.5 and WHIP 1.722 compared to 7.36 and 2.250 for Mike Walker. By the career numbers, Jim Blackburn had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.