John Bates vs. Mel Parnell — Career Comparison

Mel Parnell built a career as a starting pitcher and John Bates as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Mel Parnell posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.5 and WHIP 1.413 compared to 13.5 and 2.500 for John Bates. By the career numbers, Mel Parnell had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.