Brian O'Connor vs. Red Smith — Career Comparison

Red Smith built a career as a starting pitcher and Brian O'Connor as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Red Smith posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.19 and WHIP 1.441 compared to 5.11 and 1.865 for Brian O'Connor. By the career numbers, Red Smith had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.