Frank Bates vs. Eddie Plank — Career Comparison

Eddie Plank 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. Eddie Plank posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.35 and WHIP 1.119 compared to 6.33 and 2.082 for Frank Bates. By the career numbers, Eddie Plank had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.