Gerrit Cole vs. Don Florence — Career Comparison

Gerrit Cole built a career as a starting pitcher and Don Florence as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Don Florence posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 1.5 and WHIP 1.917 compared to 3.18 and 1.092 for Gerrit Cole. By the career numbers, Don Florence had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.