John Bates vs. Connie Rector — Career Comparison

Connie Rector 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. Connie Rector posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.66 and WHIP 1.454 compared to 13.5 and 2.500 for John Bates. By the career numbers, Connie Rector had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.