Joe Niekro vs. Brian Smith — Career Comparison

Joe Niekro built a career as a starting pitcher and Brian Smith as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Joe Niekro posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.59 and WHIP 1.339 compared to 10.38 and 1.846 for Brian Smith. By the career numbers, Joe Niekro had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.