Mike O'Rourke vs. Blade Tidwell — Career Comparison

Blade Tidwell built a career as a starting pitcher and Mike O'Rourke as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Mike O'Rourke posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.07 and WHIP 1.357 compared to 9 and 2.200 for Blade Tidwell. By the career numbers, Mike O'Rourke had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.