Willie Hernandez vs. Michael Mercado — Career Comparison

Michael Mercado built a career as a starting pitcher and Willie Hernandez as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Willie Hernandez posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.38 and WHIP 1.321 compared to 11.81 and 2.250 for Michael Mercado. By the career numbers, Willie Hernandez had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.