Joe Connors vs. Parker Messick — Career Comparison

Parker Messick 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. Parker Messick posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.72 and WHIP 1.311 compared to 5.57 and 2.238 for Joe Connors. By the career numbers, Parker Messick had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.