Nick Blackburn vs. Jim Handiboe — Career Comparison

Nick Blackburn built a career as a starting pitcher and Jim Handiboe as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jim Handiboe posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.32 and WHIP 1.009 compared to 4.85 and 1.485 for Nick Blackburn. By the career numbers, Jim Handiboe had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.