Jim Burton vs. Jimmy Nelson — Career Comparison

Jimmy Nelson built a career as a starting pitcher and Jim Burton as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jim Burton posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.75 and WHIP 1.473 compared to 4.12 and 1.365 for Jimmy Nelson. By the career numbers, Jim Burton had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.