Hayden Birdsong vs. Ed Cole — Career Comparison

Hayden Birdsong built a career as a starting pitcher and Ed Cole as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Hayden Birdsong posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.77 and WHIP 1.438 compared to 5.31 and 1.874 for Ed Cole. By the career numbers, Hayden Birdsong had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.