Erv Lange vs. Brian Van Belle — Career Comparison

Erv Lange built a career as a starting pitcher and Brian Van Belle as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Erv Lange posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.23 and WHIP 1.142 compared to 5.4 and 1.560 for Brian Van Belle. By the career numbers, Erv Lange had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.