Masahiro Tanaka vs. Fuller Thompson — Career Comparison

Masahiro Tanaka built a career as a starting pitcher and Fuller Thompson as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Masahiro Tanaka posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.74 and WHIP 1.131 compared to 3.86 and 1.500 for Fuller Thompson. By the career numbers, Masahiro Tanaka had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.