Mel Parnell vs. Jonny Venters — Career Comparison

Mel Parnell built a career as a starting pitcher and Jonny Venters as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jonny Venters posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.71 and WHIP 1.342 compared to 3.5 and 1.413 for Mel Parnell. By the career numbers, Jonny Venters had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.