Frank Viola vs. Cotton Williams — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Frank Viola and Cotton Williams are fairly close on the surface numbers. Frank Viola posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.73 vs 4.62) and WHIP (1.315 vs 1.439). Cotton Williams had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.25 per nine innings vs 0.93). By the career numbers, Frank Viola 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.