John Bates vs. Brian Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, John Bates and Brian Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Brian Smith posted stronger numbers in ERA (10.38 vs 13.5) and WHIP (1.846 vs 2.500). John Bates had the advantage in home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 2.08). By the career numbers, Brian Smith 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.