Dennis Blair vs. Sumner Bowman — Career Comparison

Dennis Blair built a career as a starting pitcher and Sumner Bowman as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Dennis Blair posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.69 and WHIP 1.478 compared to 5.22 and 1.861 for Sumner Bowman. By the career numbers, Dennis Blair had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.