Kurt Birkins vs. Wayne Simpson — Career Comparison

Wayne Simpson 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. Wayne Simpson posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.37 and WHIP 1.472 compared to 5.85 and 1.553 for Kurt Birkins. By the career numbers, Wayne Simpson had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.