Neal Heaton vs. Tom Thobe — Career Comparison

Neal Heaton built a career as a starting pitcher and Tom Thobe as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Neal Heaton posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.37 and WHIP 1.436 compared to 4.82 and 1.286 for Tom Thobe. By the career numbers, Neal Heaton had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.