John Nelson vs. Bruce Ruffin — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, John Nelson and Bruce Ruffin are fairly close on the surface numbers. Bruce Ruffin posted stronger numbers in WHIP (1.546 vs 1.671) and home runs allowed (0.65 per nine innings vs 1.59). John Nelson had the advantage in ERA (3.65 vs 4.19). By the career numbers, Bruce Ruffin 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.