Walter Ball vs. Brian Barkley — Career Comparison

Walter Ball built a career as a starting pitcher and Brian Barkley as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Walter Ball posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.65 and WHIP 1.220 compared to 9.82 and 2.364 for Brian Barkley. By the career numbers, Walter Ball had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.