John Bates vs. Red Swanson — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, John Bates and Red Swanson are fairly close on the surface numbers. Red Swanson posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.9 vs 13.5) and WHIP (1.587 vs 2.500). John Bates had the advantage in home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 1.15). By the career numbers, Red Swanson 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.