Frank Bates vs. Randy Messenger — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Frank Bates and Randy Messenger are fairly close on the surface numbers. Randy Messenger posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.87 vs 6.33) and WHIP (1.733 vs 2.082). Frank Bates had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.28 per nine innings vs 1.02). By the career numbers, Randy Messenger 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.