Phil Hughes vs. Clem Labine — Career Comparison

Phil Hughes built a career as a starting pitcher and Clem Labine as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Clem Labine posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.63 and WHIP 1.383 compared to 4.52 and 1.324 for Phil Hughes. By the career numbers, Clem Labine had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.