Jim Coates vs. Bill Sherdel — Career Comparison

Bill Sherdel 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. Bill Sherdel posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.72 and WHIP 1.358 compared to 4 and 1.406 for Jim Coates. By the career numbers, Bill Sherdel had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.