Brian Barkley vs. Paul Byrd — Career Comparison

Paul Byrd 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. Paul Byrd posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.41 and WHIP 1.344 compared to 9.82 and 2.364 for Brian Barkley. By the career numbers, Paul Byrd had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.