Joe Cowley vs. George Shears — Career Comparison

Joe Cowley built a career as a starting pitcher and George Shears as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Joe Cowley posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.2 and WHIP 1.391 compared to 5.4 and 2.333 for George Shears. By the career numbers, Joe Cowley had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.