Larry Dierker vs. Walt Smallwood — Career Comparison

Larry Dierker built a career as a starting pitcher and Walt Smallwood as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Larry Dierker posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.31 and WHIP 1.236 compared to 4.56 and 1.310 for Walt Smallwood. By the career numbers, Larry Dierker had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.