Bob Chakales vs. Mike Smithson — Career Comparison

Mike Smithson built a career as a starting pitcher and Bob Chakales as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Bob Chakales posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.54 and WHIP 1.623 compared to 4.58 and 1.387 for Mike Smithson. By the career numbers, Bob Chakales had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.