Kazuhisa Makita vs. Art Smith — Career Comparison

Art Smith built a career as a starting pitcher and Kazuhisa Makita as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Kazuhisa Makita posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.4 and WHIP 1.314 compared to 11.57 and 3.000 for Art Smith. By the career numbers, Kazuhisa Makita had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.