Brian Barkley vs. Gene Lillard — Career Comparison

Gene Lillard 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. Gene Lillard posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 7.09 and WHIP 1.944 compared to 9.82 and 2.364 for Brian Barkley. By the career numbers, Gene Lillard had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.