Johnny Marcum vs. Lou Polli — Career Comparison

Johnny Marcum built a career as a starting pitcher and Lou Polli as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Johnny Marcum posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.66 and WHIP 1.467 compared to 4.68 and 1.843 for Lou Polli. By the career numbers, Johnny Marcum had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.