Alan Embree vs. Unknown Smith — Career Comparison

Unknown Smith built a career as a starting pitcher and Alan Embree as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Alan Embree posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.59 and WHIP 1.385 compared to 18.9 and 3.600 for Unknown Smith. By the career numbers, Alan Embree had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.