Dave Cole vs. Bill Williams — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Dave Cole and Bill Williams are fairly close on the surface numbers. Dave Cole posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.93 vs 5.06) and home runs allowed (0.61 per nine innings vs 1.69). Bill Williams had the advantage in WHIP (1.313 vs 1.770). By the career numbers, Dave Cole 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.