Bob Smith vs. Bill Williams — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Bob Smith and Bill Williams are fairly close on the surface numbers. Bob Smith posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.94 vs 5.06) and home runs allowed (0.53 per nine innings vs 1.69). Bill Williams had the advantage in WHIP (1.313 vs 1.399). By the career numbers, Bob Smith 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.