Frank Bates vs. Sonny Boy Jeffries — Career Comparison

Sonny Boy Jeffries 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. Sonny Boy Jeffries posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.57 and WHIP 1.412 compared to 6.33 and 2.082 for Frank Bates. By the career numbers, Sonny Boy Jeffries had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.