Willis Roberts vs. Al Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Willis Roberts and Al Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Willis Roberts posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.64 vs 9) and WHIP (1.521 vs 3.000). Al Smith had the advantage in home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 0.94). By the career numbers, Willis Roberts 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.