Frank Bates vs. Richard Fitts — Career Comparison

Richard Fitts built a career as a starting pitcher and Frank Bates as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Richard Fitts posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.97 and WHIP 1.294 compared to 6.33 and 2.082 for Frank Bates. By the career numbers, Richard Fitts had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.