Frank Bates vs. Red Patterson — Career Comparison

Red Patterson 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. Red Patterson posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 1.93 and WHIP 1.071 compared to 6.33 and 2.082 for Frank Bates. By the career numbers, Red Patterson had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.