Phil Irwin vs. Brian O'Connor — Career Comparison

Phil Irwin built a career as a starting pitcher and Brian O'Connor as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Brian O'Connor posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.11 and WHIP 1.865 compared to 7.27 and 2.077 for Phil Irwin. By the career numbers, Brian O'Connor had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.