Larry Burchart vs. Phil Hughes — Career Comparison

Phil Hughes built a career as a starting pitcher and Larry Burchart as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Larry Burchart posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.25 and WHIP 1.606 compared to 4.52 and 1.324 for Phil Hughes. By the career numbers, Larry Burchart had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.