Rick Austin vs. Charley Lightner — Career Comparison

Charley Lightner built a career as a starting pitcher and Rick Austin as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Rick Austin posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.63 and WHIP 1.721 compared to 8.03 and 2.595 for Charley Lightner. By the career numbers, Rick Austin had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.