R. Smith vs. Frank Viola — Career Comparison

Frank Viola 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. Frank Viola posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.73 and WHIP 1.315 compared to 9 and 1.800 for R. Smith. By the career numbers, Frank Viola had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.