Charley Lightner vs. Donnie Veal — Career Comparison

Charley Lightner built a career as a starting pitcher and Donnie Veal as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Donnie Veal posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.48 and WHIP 1.652 compared to 8.03 and 2.595 for Charley Lightner. By the career numbers, Donnie Veal had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.