Ralph Botting vs. Brian Smith — Career Comparison

Ralph Botting 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. Ralph Botting posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 7.39 and WHIP 2.054 compared to 10.38 and 1.846 for Brian Smith. By the career numbers, Ralph Botting had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.