Frank Bates vs. Jim Magnuson — Career Comparison

Jim Magnuson 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. Jim Magnuson posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.59 and WHIP 1.529 compared to 6.33 and 2.082 for Frank Bates. By the career numbers, Jim Magnuson had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.