Bob Gibson vs. Lynn Nelson — Career Comparison

Lynn Nelson built a career as a starting pitcher and Bob Gibson as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Bob Gibson posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.24 and WHIP 1.539 compared to 5.25 and 1.535 for Lynn Nelson. By the career numbers, Bob Gibson had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.