Dave Davenport vs. J. J. Putz — Career Comparison

Dave Davenport built a career as a starting pitcher and J. J. Putz as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Dave Davenport posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.93 and WHIP 1.249 compared to 3.08 and 1.184 for J. J. Putz. By the career numbers, Dave Davenport had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.