Fergie Jenkins vs J. R. Richard: Career Stats Comparison
Fergie Jenkins has the better career line of the two, leading 6 of the 8 scored categories on this page (8 further counting totals are shown but not scored). 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) — they debuted in the 1960s and the 1970s respectively and share 10 seasons. Fergie Jenkins finished with 284 wins and 3,192 strikeouts; J. R. Richard finished with 107 wins and 1,493 strikeouts. The table below sets out their careers line by line.
Quick answer
- Who leads the career comparison? Fergie Jenkins, in 6 of the 8 scored 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.
- How many innings did each pitch? Fergie Jenkins 4,500.2, J. R. Richard 1,606.0.
- Who threw more shutouts? Fergie Jenkins, with 49 to J. R. Richard's 19.
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. 8 of the 16 lines below are scored; the other 8 are shown but not scored. Games, starts and innings measure playing time, and losses, walks and hits allowed track how long someone pitched, so they are left unmarked, as is any line where both players are at zero. Rate stats are not era-adjusted, so read them against the run environment each player worked in, or use the PIV card below, which is adjusted.
| Statistic | Fergie Jenkins | J. R. Richard |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | Leads: 284 | 107 |
| Losses not scored | 226 | 71 |
| Games not scored | 664 | 238 |
| Games Started not scored | 594 | 221 |
| Complete Games | Leads: 267 | 76 |
| Shutouts | Leads: 49 | 19 |
| Saves not scored | 7 | 0 |
| Strikeouts | Leads: 3,192 | 1,493 |
| Walks not scored | 997 | 770 |
| Hits Allowed not scored | 4,142 | 1,227 |
| Home Runs Allowed not scored | 484 | 73 |
| Innings Pitched not scored | 4,500.2 | 1,606.0 |
| 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 longevity gap rather than a per-season one: Fergie Jenkins played 19 seasons to J. R. Richard's 10, while J. R. Richard carries the higher per-season figure (3,892 to 2,138). 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
Fergie Jenkins leads 6 of the 8 scored categories on the head-to-head card: wins, complete games, shutouts, strikeouts, and others. J. R. Richard leads 2: ERA and strikeouts per nine. 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
How the Fergie Jenkins and J. R. Richard careers compare
From 1971 through 1980, Fergie Jenkins and J. R. Richard were in the majors together. Fergie Jenkins has the far longer record, 664 games against 238 across 19 and 10 PIV seasons, which inflates every career total. The green cells for J. R. Richard are ERA (3.15 to 3.34) and strikeouts per nine (8.37 to 6.38). By rate, Fergie Jenkins struck out 6.38 and walked 1.99 per nine innings; J. R. Richard struck out 8.37 and walked 4.32. Both had the same role: Fergie Jenkins was mainly a starter (594 starts in 664 games); J. R. Richard was mainly a starter (221 starts in 238 games).
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 6 of the 8 scored 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.