Bob Thorpe vs. Bob Welch — Career Comparison

Bob Welch built a career as a starting pitcher and Bob Thorpe as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Bob Thorpe posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3 and WHIP 1.333 compared to 3.47 and 1.290 for Bob Welch. By the career numbers, Bob Thorpe had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.