Ralph Caldwell vs. Butch Metzger — Career Comparison

Ralph Caldwell built a career as a starting pitcher and Butch Metzger as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Butch Metzger posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.74 and WHIP 1.582 compared to 4.2 and 1.413 for Ralph Caldwell. By the career numbers, Butch Metzger had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.