Dickie Noles vs. Joe Strong — Career Comparison

Dickie Noles built a career as a starting pitcher and Joe Strong as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Dickie Noles posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.56 and WHIP 1.481 compared to 5.81 and 1.709 for Joe Strong. By the career numbers, Dickie Noles had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.