Ralph Erickson vs. Doug Rau — Career Comparison

Doug Rau built a career as a starting pitcher and Ralph Erickson as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Doug Rau posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.35 and WHIP 1.312 compared to 8.4 and 2.333 for Ralph Erickson. By the career numbers, Doug Rau had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.