R. Smith vs. Paul Splittorff — Career Comparison

Paul Splittorff built a career as a starting pitcher and R. Smith as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Paul Splittorff posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.81 and WHIP 1.356 compared to 9 and 1.800 for R. Smith. By the career numbers, Paul Splittorff had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.