Joe Connors vs. Mel Harder — Career Comparison

Mel Harder built a career as a starting pitcher and Joe Connors as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Mel Harder posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.8 and WHIP 1.408 compared to 5.57 and 2.238 for Joe Connors. By the career numbers, Mel Harder had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.