Keith Atherton vs. Walter Thornton — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Keith Atherton and Walter Thornton are fairly close on the surface numbers. Keith Atherton posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.99 vs 4.18) and WHIP (1.407 vs 1.537). Walter Thornton had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.26 per nine innings vs 1.19). By the career numbers, Keith Atherton had the better of this comparison — though ERA and WHIP alone don't account for era, park factors, or the defenses each pitcher worked behind.