Rich DeLucia vs. Jimmy Shields — Career Comparison

Jimmy Shields built a career as a starting pitcher and Rich DeLucia as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Rich DeLucia posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.62 and WHIP 1.465 compared to 6.83 and 1.862 for Jimmy Shields. By the career numbers, Rich DeLucia had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.