R. Smith vs. Tim Van Egmond — Career Comparison

Tim Van Egmond 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. Tim Van Egmond posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.96 and WHIP 1.605 compared to 9 and 1.800 for R. Smith. By the career numbers, Tim Van Egmond had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.