Larry Hardy vs. Burch Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Larry Hardy and Burch Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Larry Hardy posted stronger numbers in ERA (5.29 vs 5.79) and home runs allowed (1 per nine innings vs 1.42). Burch Smith had the advantage in WHIP (1.532 vs 1.929). By the career numbers, Larry Hardy 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.