Darin Downs vs. Paul Penson — Career Comparison

Paul Penson built a career as a starting pitcher and Darin Downs as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Paul Penson posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.5 and WHIP 1.750 compared to 4.76 and 1.401 for Darin Downs. By the career numbers, Paul Penson had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.