Brian Smith vs. Jay Spurgeon — Career Comparison

Jay Spurgeon 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. Jay Spurgeon posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 6 and WHIP 1.708 compared to 10.38 and 1.846 for Brian Smith. By the career numbers, Jay Spurgeon had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.