J. A. Happ vs. Bob James — Career Comparison

J. A. Happ built a career as a starting pitcher and Bob James as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Bob James led in home run suppression (HR9+ 113 vs 80), strikeout rate (K%+ 121 vs 96), and walk avoidance (BB%+ 118 vs 95). Role difference aside, Bob James holds a clear edge on every meaningful shared measure.