Andrew Messenger vs. Bud Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Andrew Messenger and Bud Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Bud Smith posted stronger numbers in WHIP (1.500 vs 1.680) and home runs allowed (1.09 per nine innings vs 1.44). Andrew Messenger had the advantage in ERA (4.32 vs 4.95). By the career numbers, Bud Smith 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.