Frank Bates vs. Johnny Ruffin — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Frank Bates and Johnny Ruffin are fairly close on the surface numbers. Johnny Ruffin posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.13 vs 6.33) and WHIP (1.485 vs 2.082). Frank Bates had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.28 per nine innings vs 1.15). By the career numbers, Johnny Ruffin had the better of this comparison — though ERA and WHIP alone don't account for era, park factors, or the defenses each pitcher worked behind.