Bud Smith vs. Mel Stottlemyre Jr. — Career Comparison

Bud Smith built a career as a starting pitcher and Mel Stottlemyre Jr. as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Mel Stottlemyre Jr. posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.88 and WHIP 1.532 compared to 4.95 and 1.500 for Bud Smith. By the career numbers, Mel Stottlemyre Jr. had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.