Jeff Byrd vs. John Mackinson — Career Comparison

Jeff Byrd built a career as a starting pitcher and John Mackinson as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jeff Byrd posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 6.18 and WHIP 1.912 compared to 7.36 and 1.773 for John Mackinson. By the career numbers, Jeff Byrd had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.