John Patterson vs. Bruce Ruffin — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, John Patterson and Bruce Ruffin are fairly close on the surface numbers. Bruce Ruffin posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.19 vs 4.32) and home runs allowed (0.65 per nine innings vs 1.19). John Patterson had the advantage in WHIP (1.400 vs 1.546). 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.