Jim Coates vs. Al Lachowicz — Career Comparison

Al Lachowicz built a career as a starting pitcher and Jim Coates as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Al Lachowicz posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.25 and WHIP 1.375 compared to 4 and 1.406 for Jim Coates. By the career numbers, Al Lachowicz had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.