Dave Elder vs. Unknown Smith — Career Comparison

Unknown Smith built a career as a starting pitcher and Dave Elder as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Dave Elder posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.62 and WHIP 1.737 compared to 18.9 and 3.600 for Unknown Smith. By the career numbers, Dave Elder had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.