R. Smith vs. Bob Whitcher — Career Comparison

Bob Whitcher 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. Bob Whitcher posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.87 and WHIP 1.532 compared to 9 and 1.800 for R. Smith. By the career numbers, Bob Whitcher had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.