Brian Smith vs. Gerry Staley — Career Comparison

Gerry Staley 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. Gerry Staley posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.7 and WHIP 1.330 compared to 10.38 and 1.846 for Brian Smith. By the career numbers, Gerry Staley had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.