Fergie Jenkins vs J. R. Richard: Career Stats Comparison
Fergie Jenkins has the better career line of the two, leading 10 of the 12 statistical categories compared on this page. Fergie Jenkins played 1965–1983 as a pitcher; J. R. Richard played 1971–1980 as a pitcher.
- ERA (Earned Run Average):
- Earned runs allowed per nine innings pitched: (ER × 9) ÷ IP. The primary measure of pitching effectiveness.
- W (Wins):
- Games credited to a pitcher whose team took a lead it never surrendered while he was the pitcher of record.
- SO (Strikeouts):
- For a batter, times retired on a third strike; for a pitcher, batters retired on a third strike.
- WHIP (Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched):
- Baserunners allowed per inning: (BB + H) ÷ IP. Under 1.00 is elite.
Data updated
Fergie Jenkins (1965–1983) and J. R. Richard (1971–1980) — breaking in during the 1960s and the 1970s respectively, so they pitched against very different hitting environments. Fergie Jenkins compiled 284 wins and 3,192 strikeouts; J. R. Richard put up 107 wins and 1,493 strikeouts. The numbers below run them through identical career and rate-stat lenses.
Quick answer
- Who had the better ERA? J. R. Richard, with 3.15 to Fergie Jenkins's 3.34.
- Who won more games? Fergie Jenkins, with 284 to J. R. Richard's 107.
- Who recorded more strikeouts? Fergie Jenkins, with 3,192 to J. R. Richard's 1,493.
- Who had the better WHIP? Fergie Jenkins, with 1.14 to J. R. Richard's 1.24.
- Who pitched more innings? Fergie Jenkins, with 4,500 to J. R. Richard's 1,606.
- Who threw more shutouts? Fergie Jenkins, with 49 to J. R. Richard's 19.
- Who has the higher career Pitcher PIV? Fergie Jenkins, with 40,614 career Pitcher PIV to J. R. Richard's 38,918.
Fergie Jenkins
J. R. Richard
Career Stats Side-by-Side
Every cell below is a career total or career rate. Cells highlighted in green mark the player who leads that line. Lower ERA, WHIP and BB/9 lead; higher K/9 leads. Totals where fewer is not an achievement -- losses, walks and hits allowed -- are left unmarked, because they track how long someone pitched rather than how well. Rate stats are not era-adjusted: compare them with the era in mind, or use the PIV card below, which is.
| Statistic | Fergie Jenkins | J. R. Richard |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | Leads: 284 | 107 |
| Losses | 226 | 71 |
| Games | Leads: 664 | 238 |
| Games Started | Leads: 594 | 221 |
| Complete Games | Leads: 267 | 76 |
| Shutouts | Leads: 49 | 19 |
| Saves | Leads: 7 | 0 |
| Strikeouts | Leads: 3,192 | 1,493 |
| Walks | 997 | 770 |
| Hits Allowed | 4,142 | 1,227 |
| Home Runs Allowed | 484 | 73 |
| Innings Pitched | Leads: 4,500 | 1,606 |
| ERA | 3.34 | Leads: 3.15 |
| WHIP | Leads: 1.14 | 1.24 |
| K/9 | 6.38 | Leads: 8.37 |
| BB/9 | Leads: 1.99 | 4.32 |
PIV Comparison
By PIV (Player Impact Value), Fergie Jenkins edges J. R. Richard 40,614 to 38,918 — a gap driven primarily by per-season impact (2,031 vs 3,892 per year). PIV adjusts each season to league baselines, so it's the cleanest way to compare careers across eras.
Peak Seasons
The best single seasons each player produced, ranked by ERA among qualified workloads (120+ innings).
Fergie Jenkins — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
J. R. Richard — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Verdict
On the head-to-head card, Fergie Jenkins leads in wins, strikeouts, WHIP, and innings pitched, while J. R. Richard owns ERA and K/9. That doesn't settle the era debate, but on the raw scoreboard the edge goes to Fergie Jenkins. PIV agrees: Fergie Jenkins grades out higher across their careers. Click through to each profile for the full season-by-season breakdown.
Related Matchups
Fergie Jenkins vs J. R. Richard: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was better, Fergie Jenkins or J. R. Richard?
- By the career statistics compared on this page, Fergie Jenkins leads J. R. Richard in 10 of 12 categories.
- Who had the better ERA?
- J. R. Richard, with 3.15 to Fergie Jenkins's 3.34.
- Who won more games?
- Fergie Jenkins, with 284 to J. R. Richard's 107.
- Who recorded more strikeouts?
- Fergie Jenkins, with 3,192 to J. R. Richard's 1,493.
- Who had the better WHIP?
- Fergie Jenkins, with 1.14 to J. R. Richard's 1.24.