Phil Hughes vs. Al Lyons — Career Comparison

Phil Hughes built a career as a starting pitcher and Al Lyons as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Phil Hughes posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.52 and WHIP 1.324 compared to 6.3 and 1.840 for Al Lyons. By the career numbers, Phil Hughes had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.