Andy Messersmith vs. Lou Polli — Career Comparison

Andy Messersmith 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. Andy Messersmith posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.86 and WHIP 1.163 compared to 4.68 and 1.843 for Lou Polli. By the career numbers, Andy Messersmith had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.