Ed Cole vs. Unknown Johnson — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Ed Cole and Unknown Johnson are fairly close on the surface numbers. Unknown Johnson posted stronger numbers in ERA (0 vs 5.31) and home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 0.85). Ed Cole had the advantage in WHIP (1.874 vs 2.000). By the career numbers, Unknown Johnson 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.