Shane Smith vs. Dale Thayer — Career Comparison

Shane Smith built a career as a starting pitcher and Dale Thayer as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Dale Thayer posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.47 and WHIP 1.264 compared to 3.81 and 1.203 for Shane Smith. By the career numbers, Dale Thayer had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.