Shang Johnson vs. Jim Middleton — Career Comparison

Shang Johnson built a career as a starting pitcher and Jim Middleton as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Shang Johnson posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.18 and WHIP 1.347 compared to 4.51 and 1.497 for Jim Middleton. By the career numbers, Shang Johnson had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.