Bill Butland vs. Lee Richmond — Career Comparison

Bill Butland built a career as a starting pitcher and Lee Richmond as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Lee Richmond posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.06 and WHIP 1.284 compared to 3.88 and 1.288 for Bill Butland. By the career numbers, Lee Richmond had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.