Larry Foster vs. Jim Mains — Career Comparison

Jim Mains built a career as a starting pitcher and Larry Foster as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jim Mains posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.63 and WHIP 1.500 compared to 13.5 and 2.500 for Larry Foster. By the career numbers, Jim Mains had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.