Mike Smith vs. Tom Thobe — Career Comparison

Mike Smith built a career as a starting pitcher and Tom Thobe as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Tom Thobe posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.82 and WHIP 1.286 compared to 7.04 and 1.852 for Mike Smith. By the career numbers, Tom Thobe had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.