Bob Long vs. Mark Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Bob Long and Mark Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Bob Long posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.5 vs 6.75) and WHIP (1.397 vs 2.114). Mark Smith had the advantage in home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 1.4). By the career numbers, Bob Long 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.