Frank Viola vs. Jim Whitney — Career Comparison

Frank Viola built a career as a starting pitcher and Jim Whitney as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jim Whitney posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.97 and WHIP 1.147 compared to 3.73 and 1.315 for Frank Viola. By the career numbers, Jim Whitney had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.