Bill Mueller (outfielder)
| Bill Mueller | ||
|---|---|---|
Runs batted in | 5 | |
| Teams | ||
William Lawrence Mueller (November 9, 1920 – October 24, 2001) was a Major League Baseball center fielder who played for the Chicago White Sox in 1942 and 1945. Mueller's career was interrupted while he served in the military during World War II, causing him to miss the 1943 and 1944 seasons. Listed at 6 feet 1.5 inches (1.867 m) and 180 pounds (82 kg), he batted and threw right-handed.[1]
Career
Mueller first played professionally in 1939, appearing in 16 games for the Class D Alexandria Aces of the Evangeline Baseball League. He pitched in 12 of those 16 games, compiling a 2–4 record with a 4.08 earned run average (ERA).[2]
In 1940, baseball records indicate that Mueller played for three different teams, one in Class C and two in Class B; however, his statistics for this season are incomplete. Newspaper reports of the era show that he was pitching with the
In 1941, he appeared in 103 games for the Class D Jonesboro White Sox of the Northeast Arkansas League, compiling a .278 batting average.[2] In 1942, Mueller split time between the Class B Waterloo Hawks of the Three–I League (99 games) and the major league Chicago White Sox (26 games, in late August and September).[5] His contract was purchased by the White Sox when outfielder Taffy Wright had to report for military duty.[6] Mueller batted .276 with Waterloo and only .165 with Chicago.[2]
Mueller served in the
He did not play professionally after 1946.With the White Sox, Mueller appeared in a total of 39 major league games, batting 14-for-94 (.149) with five runs batted in (RBIs) and no home runs.
Personal life
Mueller went to Bay City Central High School in Bay City, Michigan, where he was a three-sport athlete; baseball, basketball, and football.[9] He met his wife, Ruth Ann, when he was serving in the Navy; they were married 1944, and later had two sons.[9]
After his baseball career, Mueller worked for a jewelry supply company and later ran his own jewelry store.[9] He died in October 2001 at age 80; he is interred at Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, Illinois.[1]
References
- ^ a b c "Bill Mueller". Retrosheet. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Bill Mueller Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ Rinard, Dick (May 11, 1940). "Blue Rocks Gain Tie For Third Position". The News Journal. Wilmington, Delaware. p. 16. Retrieved April 18, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "5-Hitter Puts St. Joe in 5th Place Again". The Herald-Press. June 27, 1940. p. 12. Retrieved April 18, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "The 1942 CHI A Regular Season Batting Log for Bill Mueller". Retrosheet. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ "Mueller Sold to White Sox". Waterloo Daily Courier. Waterloo, Illinois. August 26, 1942. p. 9. Retrieved April 18, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "William Mueller (1920) | Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File". fold3.com. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ "The 1945 CHI A Regular Season Batting Log for Bill Mueller". Retrosheet. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ a b c "William Mueller". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. October 28, 2001. p. 33. Retrieved April 18, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet