Thornton Lee vs. John Smiley — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Thornton Lee and John Smiley are fairly close on the surface numbers. Thornton Lee posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.56 vs 3.8) and home runs allowed (0.47 per nine innings vs 0.87). John Smiley had the advantage in WHIP (1.242 vs 1.358). By the career numbers, Thornton Lee 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.