Jon Matlack vs J. R. Richard: Career Stats Comparison
Jon Matlack has the better career line of the two, leading 10 of the 12 statistical categories compared on this page. Jon Matlack played 1971–1983 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
Jon Matlack (1971–1983) and J. R. Richard (1971–1980) — both came up during the 1970s, so the matchup is a direct one. Jon Matlack compiled 125 wins and 1,516 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 Jon Matlack's 3.18.
- Who won more games? Jon Matlack, with 125 to J. R. Richard's 107.
- Who recorded more strikeouts? Jon Matlack, with 1,516 to J. R. Richard's 1,493.
- Who had the better WHIP? Jon Matlack, with 1.23 to J. R. Richard's 1.24.
- Who pitched more innings? Jon Matlack, with 2,363 to J. R. Richard's 1,606.
- Who threw more shutouts? Jon Matlack, with 30 to J. R. Richard's 19.
- Who has the higher career Pitcher PIV? J. R. Richard, with 38,918 career Pitcher PIV to Jon Matlack's 38,811.
Jon Matlack
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 | Jon Matlack | J. R. Richard |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | Leads: 125 | 107 |
| Losses | 126 | 71 |
| Games | Leads: 361 | 238 |
| Games Started | Leads: 318 | 221 |
| Complete Games | Leads: 97 | 76 |
| Shutouts | Leads: 30 | 19 |
| Saves | Leads: 3 | 0 |
| Strikeouts | Leads: 1,516 | 1,493 |
| Walks | 638 | 770 |
| Hits Allowed | 2,276 | 1,227 |
| Home Runs Allowed | 161 | 73 |
| Innings Pitched | Leads: 2,363 | 1,606 |
| ERA | 3.18 | Leads: 3.15 |
| WHIP | Leads: 1.23 | 1.24 |
| K/9 | 5.77 | Leads: 8.37 |
| BB/9 | Leads: 2.43 | 4.32 |
PIV Comparison
By PIV (Player Impact Value), J. R. Richard edges Jon Matlack 38,918 to 38,811 — a gap driven primarily by per-season impact (3,892 vs 2,985 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).
Jon Matlack — 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, Jon Matlack 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 Jon Matlack. Note that PIV actually grades J. R. Richard ahead, which means Jon Matlack's edge is partly volume. Click through to each profile for the full season-by-season breakdown.
Related Matchups
Jon Matlack vs J. R. Richard: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was better, Jon Matlack or J. R. Richard?
- By the career statistics compared on this page, Jon Matlack leads J. R. Richard in 10 of 12 categories.
- Who had the better ERA?
- J. R. Richard, with 3.15 to Jon Matlack's 3.18.
- Who won more games?
- Jon Matlack, with 125 to J. R. Richard's 107.
- Who recorded more strikeouts?
- Jon Matlack, with 1,516 to J. R. Richard's 1,493.
- Who had the better WHIP?
- Jon Matlack, with 1.23 to J. R. Richard's 1.24.