Thornton Lee vs. John Shaffer — Career Comparison

Thornton Lee built a career as a starting pitcher and John Shaffer as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Thornton Lee posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.56 and WHIP 1.358 compared to 4.57 and 1.492 for John Shaffer. By the career numbers, Thornton Lee had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.