Howard Black vs. Brian Smith — Career Comparison

Howard Black built a career as a starting pitcher and Brian Smith as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Brian Smith posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 10.38 and WHIP 1.846 compared to 14.73 and 2.727 for Howard Black. By the career numbers, Brian Smith had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.