Hideki Irabu vs. Dode Smith — Career Comparison

Hideki Irabu built a career as a starting pitcher and Dode Smith as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Hideki Irabu posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.15 and WHIP 1.411 compared to 6 and 1.667 for Dode Smith. By the career numbers, Hideki Irabu had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.