Steve Bailey vs. Mike Smithson — Career Comparison

Mike Smithson built a career as a starting pitcher and Steve Bailey as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Steve Bailey posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.88 and WHIP 1.636 compared to 4.58 and 1.387 for Mike Smithson. By the career numbers, Steve Bailey had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.