Steve Smyth vs. Louie Varland — Career Comparison

Steve Smyth built a career as a starting pitcher and Louie Varland as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Louie Varland posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.66 and WHIP 1.336 compared to 9.35 and 1.692 for Steve Smyth. By the career numbers, Louie Varland had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.