Kirk Rueter vs. Shad Williams — Career Comparison

Kirk Rueter 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. Kirk Rueter posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.27 and WHIP 1.416 compared to 8.59 and 2.352 for Shad Williams. By the career numbers, Kirk Rueter had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.