Mitch Atkins vs. Doug Bird — Career Comparison

Mitch Atkins built a career as a starting pitcher and Doug Bird as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Doug Bird posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.99 and WHIP 1.339 compared to 6.75 and 1.897 for Mitch Atkins. By the career numbers, Doug Bird had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.