Jim Owens vs. Francisco Rodriguez — Career Comparison

Jim Owens built a career as a starting pitcher and Francisco Rodriguez as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jim Owens posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.31 and WHIP 1.489 compared to 4.43 and 1.525 for Francisco Rodriguez. By the career numbers, Jim Owens had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.