Bill James vs. John Smoltz — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Bill James and John Smoltz are fairly close on the surface numbers. Bill James posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.2 vs 3.33) and home runs allowed (0.12 per nine innings vs 0.75). John Smoltz had the advantage in WHIP (1.200 vs 1.431). By the career numbers, Bill James 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.