Rube Marquard vs. Al Spalding — Career Comparison

On the career pitching numbers, Al Spalding posted a stronger line than Rube Marquard. Al Spalding posted stronger numbers in ERA (2.13 vs 3.08) and home runs allowed (0.05 per nine innings vs 0.29). By the career numbers, Al Spalding 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.