Brian Smith vs. Lon Warneke — Career Comparison

Lon Warneke 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. Lon Warneke posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.18 and WHIP 1.245 compared to 10.38 and 1.846 for Brian Smith. By the career numbers, Lon Warneke had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.