Brian Barkley vs. Sam Lanford — Career Comparison

Sam Lanford 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. Sam Lanford posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.14 and WHIP 2.143 compared to 9.82 and 2.364 for Brian Barkley. By the career numbers, Sam Lanford had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.