Kurt Birkins vs. Corky Valentine — Career Comparison

Corky Valentine 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. Corky Valentine posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.81 and WHIP 1.439 compared to 5.85 and 1.553 for Kurt Birkins. By the career numbers, Corky Valentine had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.