Frank Bates vs. Jim Merritt — Career Comparison

Jim Merritt 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 Merritt posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.65 and WHIP 1.237 compared to 6.33 and 2.082 for Frank Bates. By the career numbers, Jim Merritt had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.