Lee Smith vs. Walter Thornton — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Lee Smith and Walter Thornton are fairly close on the surface numbers. Lee Smith posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.03 vs 4.18) and WHIP (1.333 vs 1.537). Walter Thornton had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.26 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.