Joe Niekro vs. Aaron Scheffer — Career Comparison

Joe Niekro built a career as a starting pitcher and Aaron Scheffer as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Aaron Scheffer posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 1.93 and WHIP 1.929 compared to 3.59 and 1.339 for Joe Niekro. By the career numbers, Aaron Scheffer had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.