Brian Barkley vs. Bill Fleming — Career Comparison

Bill Fleming 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. Bill Fleming posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.79 and WHIP 1.439 compared to 9.82 and 2.364 for Brian Barkley. By the career numbers, Bill Fleming had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.