Brian Barkley vs. John Bates — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Brian Barkley and John Bates are fairly close on the surface numbers. Brian Barkley posted stronger numbers in ERA (9.82 vs 13.5) and WHIP (2.364 vs 2.500). John Bates had the advantage in home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 1.64). By the career numbers, Brian Barkley 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.