Jim Burton vs. Andy Van Hekken — Career Comparison

Andy Van Hekken built a career as a starting pitcher and Jim Burton as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jim Burton posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.75 and WHIP 1.473 compared to 3 and 1.467 for Andy Van Hekken. By the career numbers, Jim Burton had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.