Jim Coates vs. Joe Pactwa — Career Comparison

Joe Pactwa 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. Joe Pactwa posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.86 and WHIP 2.020 compared to 4 and 1.406 for Jim Coates. By the career numbers, Joe Pactwa had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.