Al Schmelz vs. Ed Smith — Career Comparison

Ed Smith built a career as a starting pitcher and Al Schmelz as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Al Schmelz posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3 and WHIP 1.667 compared to 3.72 and 1.332 for Ed Smith. By the career numbers, Al Schmelz had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.