Johnny Broaca vs. John Thornton — Career Comparison

Johnny Broaca built a career as a starting pitcher and John Thornton as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Johnny Broaca posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.08 and WHIP 1.487 compared to 4.1 and 1.486 for John Thornton. By the career numbers, Johnny Broaca had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.