Andy Coakley vs. Walter Thornton — Career Comparison

Andy Coakley built a career as a starting pitcher and Walter Thornton as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Andy Coakley posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.35 and WHIP 1.245 compared to 4.18 and 1.537 for Walter Thornton. By the career numbers, Andy Coakley had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.