Fred Klages vs. Rufus Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Fred Klages and Rufus Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Fred Klages posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.28 vs 3.38) and WHIP (1.260 vs 1.375). Rufus Smith had the advantage in home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 0.9). By the career numbers, Fred Klages 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.