Max Lanier vs. Les Willis — Career Comparison

Max Lanier built a career as a starting pitcher and Les Willis as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Max Lanier posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.01 and WHIP 1.297 compared to 3.48 and 1.864 for Les Willis. By the career numbers, Max Lanier had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.