Bruce Howard vs. Ken Polivka — Career Comparison

Bruce Howard
Silent GenerationMarylandThrows RightBats SwitchNorth AmericaChicago White SoxAmerican LeagueStarting Pitcher
Ken Polivka
Greatest GenerationIllinoisThrows LeftBats LeftNorth AmericaCincinnati RedsNational LeagueRelief Pitcher

Bruce Howard built a career as a starting pitcher and Ken Polivka as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Ken Polivka posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3 and WHIP 2.000 compared to 3.18 and 1.326 for Bruce Howard. By the career numbers, Ken Polivka had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.

Pitching Stats for Bruce Howard and Ken Polivka

Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
6
6
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
1
1
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Innings
120
2.04
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Inningsverified
2
6
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
75
1.28
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
26
0.44
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
0
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
31
0.53
Ken Polivka
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
0
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
45.61
45.61
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
62.5
62.5
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
7
0.12
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
4
0.07
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
1
0.02
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
0
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
187
3.18
Ken Polivka
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
1
3
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
3.18
3.18
Ken Polivka
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
3
3
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
3.39
3.39
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
5.48
5.48
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
4.19
4.19
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
5.33
5.33
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
0.227
0.227
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0.25
0.25
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Innings
1586
27
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
9
27
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Innings
528.2
9
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
3
9
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Inningsverified
449
7.64
Ken Polivka
Careerverified
Per 9 Innings
3
9
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
7.64
7.64
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
9
9
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
45
0.77
Ken Polivka
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
0
0
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
0.77
0.77
Ken Polivka
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
0
0
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
0.38
0.38
Ken Polivka
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
0
0
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Inningsverified
239
4.07
Ken Polivka
Careerverified
Per 9 Innings
3
9
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
13
0.22
Ken Polivka
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
0
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
4.07
4.07
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
9
9
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
349
5.94
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
1
3
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
5.94
5.94
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
3
3
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
2.91
2.91
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0.5
0.5
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
1.112
1.112
Ken Polivka
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
1.333
1.333
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
24
0.41
Ken Polivka
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
0
0
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
8
0.14
Ken Polivka
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
0
0
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
0
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Innings
2229
37.95
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Inningsverified
15
45
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Innings
17
0.29
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Inningsverified
2
6
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
219
3.73
Ken Polivka
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
1
3
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
3.73
3.73
Ken Polivka
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
3
3
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
0
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
0
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
0
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
0
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
0
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
1.301
1.301
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
2
2
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Innings
1982
33.74
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Inningsverified
12
36
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
1.83
1.83
Ken Polivka
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
0.5
0.5
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
0.254
0.254
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0.273
0.273
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
37.95
37.95
Ken Polivka
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
45
45

Fielding Stats for Bruce Howard and Ken Polivka

Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
6
6
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
1
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
120
2.04
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
2
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
75
1.28
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
1586
27
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
528.2
9
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
26
0.44
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
94
1.6
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
4
0.07
Ken Polivka
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
124
2.11
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
120
2.04
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
96.77
96.77
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
1
1
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
62.5
62.5
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 9 Inningsverified
6
0.1
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
0
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
0
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
0
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 9 Innings
0
0
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 9 Innings
0

Hitting Stats for Bruce Howard and Ken Polivka

Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
6
6
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
1
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
120
416.18
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
2
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
173
600
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
147
509.83
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
0.116
0.116
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
0.437
0.437
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
17
58.96
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
10
34.68
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
5
17.34
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
1
3.47
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
1
3.47
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
7
24.28
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
0.412
0.412
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
0.007
0.007
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
0.059
0.059
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
5.49
19.05
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
27
93.64
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
29
100.58
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
0.181
0.181
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
0.184
0.184
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
0.365
0.365
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
0.068
0.068
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
0.128
0.128
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
0.293
0.293
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
0.163
0.163
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
5
17.34
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
7
24.28
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
11
38.15
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
1.6
5.54
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
1
3.47
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
11
38.15
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
0
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 600 PA
0
0
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
0
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 600 PA
49
169.94
Ken Polivka
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
3.53
3.53
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
0.22
0.22
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
13
45.09
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
1
3.47
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
0
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 600 PA
2
6.94
Ken Polivka
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
0
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 600 PA
0
0
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
1
3.47
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
0
Bruce Howard
Careerverified
Per 600 PAverified
1
3.47
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA
0
Bruce Howard
Career
Per 600 PA
0
0
Ken Polivka
Career
Per 600 PA