Don Drysdale vs. Jon Meloan — Career Comparison

Don Drysdale built a career as a starting pitcher and Jon Meloan as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Don Drysdale posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.95 and WHIP 1.184 compared to 4.58 and 1.245 for Jon Meloan. By the career numbers, Don Drysdale had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.