Bob James vs. Jim Mertz — Career Comparison

Jim Mertz 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 posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.8 and WHIP 1.371 compared to 4.63 and 1.431 for Jim Mertz. By the career numbers, Bob James had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.