Al Downing vs. Bill Williams — Career Comparison

On the career pitching numbers, Al Downing posted a stronger line than Bill Williams. Al Downing posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.22 vs 5.06) and home runs allowed (0.7 per nine innings vs 1.69). By the career numbers, Al Downing 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.