Kent Mercker vs. Art Smith — Career Comparison

Art Smith built a career as a starting pitcher and Kent Mercker as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Kent Mercker posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.16 and WHIP 1.480 compared to 11.57 and 3.000 for Art Smith. By the career numbers, Kent Mercker had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.