Unknown Latimer vs. Andy Messersmith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Unknown Latimer and Andy Messersmith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Andy Messersmith posted stronger numbers in ERA (2.86 vs 4.06) and WHIP (1.163 vs 1.422). Unknown Latimer had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.31 per nine innings vs 0.7). By the career numbers, Andy Messersmith 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.