Frank Bates vs. Al McBean — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Frank Bates and Al McBean are fairly close on the surface numbers. Al McBean posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.13 vs 6.33) and WHIP (1.379 vs 2.082). Frank Bates had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.28 per nine innings vs 0.53). By the career numbers, Al McBean 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.