Nick Blackburn vs. Buz Phillips — Career Comparison

Nick Blackburn built a career as a starting pitcher and Buz Phillips as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Nick Blackburn posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.85 and WHIP 1.485 compared to 8.04 and 1.969 for Buz Phillips. By the career numbers, Nick Blackburn had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.