Kurt Birkins vs. Lee Stange — Career Comparison

Lee Stange 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. Lee Stange posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.56 and WHIP 1.289 compared to 5.85 and 1.553 for Kurt Birkins. By the career numbers, Lee Stange had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.