Frank Bates vs. Herman Purcell — Career Comparison

Herman Purcell 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. Frank Bates posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 6.33 and WHIP 2.082 compared to 6.75 and 2.250 for Herman Purcell. By the career numbers, Frank Bates had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.