Frank Bates vs. Farmer Ray — Career Comparison

Farmer Ray 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. Farmer Ray posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.58 and WHIP 1.386 compared to 6.33 and 2.082 for Frank Bates. By the career numbers, Farmer Ray had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.