Chris Bootcheck vs. Art Smith — Career Comparison

Art Smith built a career as a starting pitcher and Chris Bootcheck as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Chris Bootcheck posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 6.55 and WHIP 1.685 compared to 11.57 and 3.000 for Art Smith. By the career numbers, Chris Bootcheck had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.