Bill Atkinson vs. Sherry Smith — Career Comparison

Sherry Smith built a career as a starting pitcher and Bill Atkinson as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Sherry Smith posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.32 and WHIP 1.303 compared to 3.42 and 1.412 for Bill Atkinson. By the career numbers, Sherry Smith had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.