Frank Bates vs. Mike Flanagan — Career Comparison

Mike Flanagan 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. Mike Flanagan posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.9 and WHIP 1.349 compared to 6.33 and 2.082 for Frank Bates. By the career numbers, Mike Flanagan had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.