Kurt Birkins vs. Mel Stottlemyre — Career Comparison

Mel Stottlemyre 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. Mel Stottlemyre posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.97 and WHIP 1.247 compared to 5.85 and 1.553 for Kurt Birkins. By the career numbers, Mel Stottlemyre had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.