Jim Hughes vs. Bob Welch — Career Comparison

Bob Welch built a career as a starting pitcher and Jim Hughes as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Bob Welch posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.47 and WHIP 1.290 compared to 3.83 and 1.476 for Jim Hughes. By the career numbers, Bob Welch had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.