Kurt Birkins vs. Al Mattern — Career Comparison

Al Mattern built a career as a starting pitcher and Kurt Birkins as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Al Mattern posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.37 and WHIP 1.394 compared to 5.85 and 1.553 for Kurt Birkins. By the career numbers, Al Mattern had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.