Frank Bates vs. Tommy Johnson — Career Comparison

Tommy Johnson 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. Tommy Johnson posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.95 and WHIP 1.724 compared to 6.33 and 2.082 for Frank Bates. By the career numbers, Tommy Johnson had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.