Jimmy Shields vs. Brian Smith — Career Comparison

Jimmy Shields built a career as a starting pitcher and Brian Smith as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jimmy Shields posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 6.83 and WHIP 1.862 compared to 10.38 and 1.846 for Brian Smith. By the career numbers, Jimmy Shields had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.