Don Elston vs. Jon Matlack — Career Comparison

Jon Matlack built a career as a starting pitcher and Don Elston as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jon Matlack posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.18 and WHIP 1.262 compared to 3.69 and 1.445 for Don Elston. By the career numbers, Jon Matlack had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.