Norman Cross vs. Matt Stites — Career Comparison

Norman Cross built a career as a starting pitcher and Matt Stites as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Norman Cross posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.46 and WHIP 1.537 compared to 7.13 and 1.656 for Matt Stites. By the career numbers, Norman Cross had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.