Mike Smith vs. Roy Witherup — Career Comparison

Roy Witherup built a career as a starting pitcher and Mike Smith as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Roy Witherup posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.44 and WHIP 1.454 compared to 4.71 and 1.570 for Mike Smith. By the career numbers, Roy Witherup had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.