Lee Smith vs. R. Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Lee Smith and R. Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Lee Smith posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.03 vs 9) and WHIP (1.333 vs 1.800). R. Smith had the advantage in home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 0.62). By the career numbers, Lee Smith had the better of this comparison — though ERA and WHIP alone don't account for era, park factors, or the defenses each pitcher worked behind.