Kurt Birkins vs. Bob Vail — Career Comparison

Bob Vail 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. Kurt Birkins posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.85 and WHIP 1.553 compared to 6 and 1.467 for Bob Vail. By the career numbers, Kurt Birkins had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.