John Axford vs. Bud Smith — Career Comparison

Bud Smith built a career as a starting pitcher and John Axford as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. John Axford posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.9 and WHIP 1.455 compared to 4.95 and 1.500 for Bud Smith. By the career numbers, John Axford had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.