Ray Poat vs. Shad Williams — Career Comparison

Ray Poat built a career as a starting pitcher and Shad Williams as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Ray Poat posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.55 and WHIP 1.468 compared to 8.59 and 2.352 for Shad Williams. By the career numbers, Ray Poat had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.