Rex Smith vs. Mark Thurmond — Career Comparison

Mark Thurmond 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. Mark Thurmond posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.69 and WHIP 1.410 compared to 5.5 and 2.111 for Rex Smith. By the career numbers, Mark Thurmond had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.