Chris Hammond vs. Rafael Valdez — Career Comparison

Chris Hammond built a career as a starting pitcher and Rafael Valdez as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Chris Hammond posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.14 and WHIP 1.408 compared to 11.12 and 2.294 for Rafael Valdez. By the career numbers, Chris Hammond had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.