Mel Held vs. Dode Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Mel Held and Dode Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Mel Held posted stronger numbers in ERA (5.14 vs 6) and WHIP (1.571 vs 1.667). Dode Smith had the advantage in home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 1.29). By the career numbers, Mel Held 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.