R. Smith vs. Bruce Zimmermann — Career Comparison

Bruce Zimmermann 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. Bruce Zimmermann posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.64 and WHIP 1.460 compared to 9 and 1.800 for R. Smith. By the career numbers, Bruce Zimmermann had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.