Rex Smith vs. Dean Thomas — Career Comparison

Dean Thomas built a career as a starting pitcher and Rex Smith as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Dean Thomas posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.49 and WHIP 1.542 compared to 5.5 and 2.111 for Rex Smith. By the career numbers, Dean Thomas had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.