Jim Coates vs. Eppa Rixey — Career Comparison

Eppa Rixey 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. Eppa Rixey posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.15 and WHIP 1.272 compared to 4 and 1.406 for Jim Coates. By the career numbers, Eppa Rixey had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.