Ed Smith vs. Bob Stanley — Career Comparison

Ed Smith built a career as a starting pitcher and Bob Stanley as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Bob Stanley posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.64 and WHIP 1.415 compared to 3.72 and 1.332 for Ed Smith. By the career numbers, Bob Stanley had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.