Rufus Smith vs. Jeff Zimmerman — Career Comparison

Rufus Smith built a career as a starting pitcher and Jeff Zimmerman as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jeff Zimmerman posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.27 and WHIP 1.120 compared to 3.38 and 1.375 for Rufus Smith. By the career numbers, Jeff Zimmerman had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.