Brillheart is one of the few pitchers in baseball history to appear in over 1,000 games, compiling 956 in the minor leagues and 86 in the major leagues, during a career which lasted from 1921 to 1951. He was 18 years old when he reached the majors in 1922, and was the youngest player in the major leagues that season, pitching in 31 games for the Senators.
Brillheart holds a unique distinction as one of the few baseball pitchers to have played in more than 1,000 contests, with 956 in the minor leagues and 86 in the majors between 1921 and 1951. He made his professional debut at just 18 years old in 1922, setting a record for the youngest player in the major leagues that season, pitching in 31 games for the Senators.