Roger McDowell vs. Rufus Smith — Career Comparison

Rufus Smith built a career as a starting pitcher and Roger McDowell as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Roger McDowell posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.3 and WHIP 1.479 compared to 3.38 and 1.375 for Rufus Smith. By the career numbers, Roger McDowell had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.