Al Schmelz vs. Tim Wakefield — Career Comparison

Tim Wakefield 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 4.41 and 1.361 for Tim Wakefield. By the career numbers, Al Schmelz had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.