Frank Bates vs. Shaun Marcum — Career Comparison

Shaun Marcum 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. Shaun Marcum posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.93 and WHIP 1.252 compared to 6.33 and 2.082 for Frank Bates. By the career numbers, Shaun Marcum had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.