Ryan Madson vs. Walter Thornton — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Ryan Madson and Walter Thornton are fairly close on the surface numbers. Ryan Madson posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.48 vs 4.18) and WHIP (1.292 vs 1.537). Walter Thornton had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.26 per nine innings vs 0.85). By the career numbers, Ryan Madson had the better of this comparison — though ERA and WHIP alone don't account for era, park factors, or the defenses each pitcher worked behind.