Chris Short vs. Brian Smith — Career Comparison

Chris Short 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. Chris Short posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.43 and WHIP 1.331 compared to 10.38 and 1.846 for Brian Smith. By the career numbers, Chris Short had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.