Wes Ferrell's WHIP numbers being extraordinarily bad have little to do with the era in which he played. His WHIP numbers were in the bottom half of all major league pitchers on a routine basis, even in his best 8 years. He led the league in hits allowed three straight years. He led the league in walks once. During his best 8 years (after which he was an absolute flaming dumpster fire as a pitcher by the way) he allowed more hits (just hits) than innings pitched every year except one. That year he allowed 299 hits in 299 1/3 innings. Far from scintillating even given the era. Over those same 8 years, he struck out a total of 795 batters while walking...795.
Also, as "OK" as his ERA numbers were over that eight year stretch, hs FIP numbers were much much higher....which means he was basically a very lucky pitcher over that 8 year stretch. For five of those 8 years, his FIP was half a run HIGHER than his ERA. Only two years was his FIP lower than his ERA.
Great run support and defense I assume. He has a nice little 8 year run and won a lot of games over that time. He was far from a dominant pitcher though.
Tom C
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