Brian Smith vs. Johnny Williams — Career Comparison

Johnny Williams 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. Johnny Williams posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.84 and WHIP 1.403 compared to 10.38 and 1.846 for Brian Smith. By the career numbers, Johnny Williams had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.