Joe Niekro vs. Red Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Joe Niekro and Red Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Red Smith posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.19 vs 3.59) and home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 0.69). Joe Niekro had the advantage in WHIP (1.339 vs 1.441). By the career numbers, Red 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.