Frank Bates vs. Thomas Hatch — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Frank Bates and Thomas Hatch are fairly close on the surface numbers. Thomas Hatch posted stronger numbers in ERA (5.24 vs 6.33) and WHIP (1.621 vs 2.082). Frank Bates had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.28 per nine innings vs 1.4). By the career numbers, Thomas Hatch 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.