R. Smith vs. Ed Walsh — Career Comparison

Ed Walsh 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. Ed Walsh posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 1.82 and WHIP 1.000 compared to 9 and 1.800 for R. Smith. By the career numbers, Ed Walsh had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.