Harry Eccles vs. Fred Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Harry Eccles and Fred Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Fred Smith posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.27 vs 4.71) and home runs allowed (0.41 per nine innings vs 0.86). Harry Eccles had the advantage in WHIP (1.143 vs 1.269). By the career numbers, Fred Smith had the better of this comparison — though ERA and WHIP alone don't account for era, park factors, or the defenses each pitcher worked behind.