George Cheatham vs. Joe Niekro — Career Comparison

Joe Niekro built a career as a starting pitcher and George Cheatham as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. George Cheatham posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 0 and WHIP 0.818 compared to 3.59 and 1.339 for Joe Niekro. By the career numbers, George Cheatham had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.