Darin Downs vs. Bob Shirley — Career Comparison

Bob Shirley 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. Bob Shirley posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.82 and WHIP 1.429 compared to 4.76 and 1.401 for Darin Downs. By the career numbers, Bob Shirley had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.