Frank Bates vs. Les Mueller — Career Comparison

Les Mueller 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. Les Mueller posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.78 and WHIP 1.314 compared to 6.33 and 2.082 for Frank Bates. By the career numbers, Les Mueller had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.