Richard Bleier vs. Mel Parnell — Career Comparison

Mel Parnell built a career as a starting pitcher and Richard Bleier as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Richard Bleier posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.27 and WHIP 1.259 compared to 3.5 and 1.413 for Mel Parnell. By the career numbers, Richard Bleier had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.