Jim Mains vs. Willis Roberts — Career Comparison

Jim Mains built a career as a starting pitcher and Willis Roberts as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Willis Roberts posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.64 and WHIP 1.521 compared to 5.63 and 1.500 for Jim Mains. By the career numbers, Willis Roberts had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.