Jon Lester vs. Rupe Toppin — Career Comparison

Jon Lester built a career as a starting pitcher and Rupe Toppin as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jon Lester posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.66 and WHIP 1.283 compared to 13.5 and 3.000 for Rupe Toppin. By the career numbers, Jon Lester had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.