Kurt Birkins vs. Jim Missouri — Career Comparison

Jim Missouri 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. Jim Missouri posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.78 and WHIP 1.540 compared to 5.85 and 1.553 for Kurt Birkins. By the career numbers, Jim Missouri had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.