John Bates vs. Joe Strong — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, John Bates and Joe Strong are fairly close on the surface numbers. Joe Strong posted stronger numbers in ERA (5.81 vs 13.5) and WHIP (1.709 vs 2.500). John Bates had the advantage in home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 1.37). By the career numbers, Joe Strong 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.