Kurt Birkins vs. Stover McIlwain — Career Comparison

Stover McIlwain 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. Stover McIlwain posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 1.8 and WHIP 1.400 compared to 5.85 and 1.553 for Kurt Birkins. By the career numbers, Stover McIlwain had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.