Jim Middleton vs. Al Piechota — Career Comparison

Al Piechota built a career as a starting pitcher and Jim Middleton as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jim Middleton posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.51 and WHIP 1.497 compared to 5.66 and 1.774 for Al Piechota. By the career numbers, Jim Middleton had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.