Ira Hutchinson vs. Theolic Smith — Career Comparison

Theolic Smith built a career as a starting pitcher and Ira Hutchinson as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Ira Hutchinson posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.76 and WHIP 1.436 compared to 4.95 and 1.511 for Theolic Smith. By the career numbers, Ira Hutchinson had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.