Bill Atkinson vs. Al Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Bill Atkinson and Al Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Bill Atkinson posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.42 vs 9) and WHIP (1.412 vs 3.000). Al Smith had the advantage in home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 1.04). By the career numbers, Bill Atkinson had the better of this comparison — though ERA and WHIP alone don't account for era, park factors, or the defenses each pitcher worked behind.