Larry Dierker vs. Mark Smith — Career Comparison

Larry Dierker built a career as a starting pitcher and Mark Smith 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 6.75 and 2.114 for Mark Smith. By the career numbers, Larry Dierker had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.