Eric Hacker vs. Art Smith — Career Comparison

Art Smith built a career as a starting pitcher and Eric Hacker as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Eric Hacker posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4 and WHIP 1.722 compared to 11.57 and 3.000 for Art Smith. By the career numbers, Eric Hacker had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.