Kurt Birkins vs. Jack McMahan — Career Comparison

Jack McMahan 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. Jack McMahan posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.04 and WHIP 1.693 compared to 5.85 and 1.553 for Kurt Birkins. By the career numbers, Jack McMahan had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.