Robin Roberts vs. John Thornton — Career Comparison

Robin Roberts built a career as a starting pitcher and John Thornton as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Robin Roberts posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.41 and WHIP 1.184 compared to 4.1 and 1.486 for John Thornton. By the career numbers, Robin Roberts had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.