Jim Elam vs. Charlie Root — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Jim Elam and Charlie Root are fairly close on the surface numbers. Charlie Root posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.59 vs 6.39) and WHIP (1.295 vs 2.161). Jim Elam had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.29 per nine innings vs 0.53). By the career numbers, Charlie Root had the better of this comparison — though ERA and WHIP alone don't account for era, park factors, or the defenses each pitcher worked behind.