Darin Downs vs. Willard Schmidt — Career Comparison

Willard Schmidt built a career as a starting pitcher and Darin Downs as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Willard Schmidt posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.93 and WHIP 1.487 compared to 4.76 and 1.401 for Darin Downs. By the career numbers, Willard Schmidt had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.