Randy Niemann vs. Urban Shocker — Career Comparison

Urban Shocker built a career as a starting pitcher and Randy Niemann as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Urban Shocker posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.17 and WHIP 1.255 compared to 4.64 and 1.565 for Randy Niemann. By the career numbers, Urban Shocker had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.