Mike Cosgrove vs. Earl Johnson — Career Comparison

Earl Johnson built a career as a starting pitcher and Mike Cosgrove as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Mike Cosgrove posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.03 and WHIP 1.544 compared to 4.3 and 1.516 for Earl Johnson. By the career numbers, Mike Cosgrove had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.