Bob Allen vs. Travis Smith — Career Comparison

Travis Smith built a career as a starting pitcher and Bob Allen as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Bob Allen posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.11 and WHIP 1.631 compared to 6.53 and 1.621 for Travis Smith. By the career numbers, Bob Allen had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.