Joe Connors vs. Hilly Hathaway — Career Comparison

Hilly Hathaway 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. Hilly Hathaway posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.29 and WHIP 1.730 compared to 5.57 and 2.238 for Joe Connors. By the career numbers, Hilly Hathaway had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.