Kelly Downs vs. Frank Smith — Career Comparison

Kelly Downs built a career as a starting pitcher and Frank Smith as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Frank Smith posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.81 and WHIP 1.231 compared to 3.86 and 1.389 for Kelly Downs. By the career numbers, Frank Smith had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.