Bob Patterson vs. Willie Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Bob Patterson and Willie Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Bob Patterson posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.08 vs 6.31) and WHIP (1.356 vs 2.026). Willie Smith had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.35 per nine innings vs 1.02). By the career numbers, Bob Patterson 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.