Frank Bates vs. Rich Folkers — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Frank Bates and Rich Folkers are fairly close on the surface numbers. Rich Folkers posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.11 vs 6.33) and WHIP (1.456 vs 2.082). Frank Bates had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.28 per nine innings vs 0.85). By the career numbers, Rich Folkers 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.