George Mullin (baseball)

Infobox MLB retired
bgcolor1=#bd5d29
bgcolor2=#003366
textcolor1=white
textcolor2=white
name=George Mullin


width = 200px
position=Pitcher
birthdate=July 4, 1880
city-state|Toledo|Ohio
deathdate=death date and age|1944|1|7|1880|7|4
city-state|Wabash|Indiana
bats=Right
throws=Right
debutdate=May 4
debutyear=by|1902
debutteam=Detroit Tigers
finaldate=May 23
finalyear=by|1915
finalteam=Newark Pepper
stat1label=Win-Loss Record
stat1value=228-196
stat2label=Earned Run Average
stat2value=2.82
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat3value=1482
teams=
*Detroit Tigers (1902-1913)
*Washington Senators (1913)
*Indianapolis Hoosiers (1914)
*Newark Pepper (1915)
highlights=
* In 1909, he led the American League in both wins (29) and won-loss percentage (.784).
* His 1,244 assists ranks 7th all time among major league pitchers.
* His 353 complete games ranks 25th on the all time major league list.
* His 228 career wins ranks 65th on the all time major league list.
* The all time leader in innings pitched for the Detroit Tigers
* Pitched the Tigers first no-hitter in 1912.
* Pitched 6 complete games in the World Series, 1907-1909, with a 3-3 record and 1.86 ERA.
* Won 20 games or more in five seasons.

George Joseph Mullin (July 4, 1880 – January 7, 1944) was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played fourteen seasons with the Detroit Tigers (1902-13) and Washington Senators (1913) of the American League and the Indianapolis Hoosiers (1914) and Newark Peppers (1915) of the Federal League.

Career Overview

Mullin holds the Detroit Tigers franchise record for innings pitched (in a career and in a season) and has the second most wins in the team's history. He also pitched the team's first no-hitter; had five 20-win seasons (including a league-leading 29 wins in 1909); helped the Tigers to three straight American League pennants (1907-1909); twice hit over .310 as a batter; and ranks 7th in major league history for fielding assists by a pitcher. Yet, as one author noted: "The pitching prowess and significant achievements of George Mullin seem to have faded away on the brittle pages of baseball history. Not even in the Motor City ... is the name of George Mullin, the burly righthander from Wabash, Indiana, mentioned." (Warren Wilbert, "What Makes an Elite Pitcher?" (McFarland 2003), p. 25) [cite book
title=What Makes an Elite Pitcher?
author=Warren N. Wilbert
year=2003
publisher=McFarland
isbn=0786414561
url=http://books.google.com/books?id=xXuD7-esUAoC&pg=PA25&lpg=PA25&dq=%22george+mullin%22+wabash&source=web&ots=00rbpzll4s&sig=JeTbbytu4nSNuXGNUvqOHNANOhE]

Mullin was a powerfully built righthander with an intimidating fastball, but imperfect control. He was known to try to keep opposing batters off balance by talking to them when they came to bat, or even talking to himself. (George Van Dusen, Dan Ewald, Jim Hawkins, "The Detroit Tigers Encyclopedia" (2003), p. 169) [cite book
title=The Detroit Tigers Encyclopedia
author=Jim Hawkins, Dan Ewald, George Van Dusen
year=2003
publisher=Sports Publishing LLC
isbn=1582612226
url=http://books.google.com/books?id=UJVas2JMjLUC&pg=PA169&lpg=PA169&dq=george+mullin+encyclopedia&source=web&ots=MrPAU_SIaK&sig=akwfVY6VpLqQdRo8mBCHuwFb1Uw] And with a runner on third base at Bennett Park, Mullin was known to fake a throw over the head of catcher Boss Schmidt. Schmidt would then fake an attempt to run after the "errant" pitch, luring the runner toward the plate. Mullin would then toss the ball to Schmidt for an easy out.

He compiled a career record of 228-196, ranking 65th in wins in major league history.

Early years

Born in Toledo, Ohio, Mullin played semi-pro baseball in Wabash, Indiana, earning the nickname "Wabash George." In 1901, at age 20, Mullin signed with both the Brooklyn Superbas and Detroit Tigers. Mullin chose the Tigers, wishing to stay closer to his home in Indiana. Mullin played his first twelve seasons with the Tigers.

In his rookie season, 1902, Mullin won 13 games (and lost 16) for the 7th place Tigers. The following season, Mullin won 19 and reduced his ERA to 2.25 (an Adjusted ERA+ of 129). In 1903, Mullin was among the American League leaders with 6 shutouts (2nd in AL), 170 strikeouts (5th in AL), and 41 games (2nd in AL).

In 1904, Mullin had another strong year, pitching a club record 42 complete games (and 7 shutouts) with a 2.40 ERA and 161 strikeouts. However, the Tigers in the pre-Cobb era were a weak-hitting team that remained mired in 7th place, and Mullin lost 23 games despite a strong individual performance.

In 1905, Mullin won 21 games for his first 20-win season but also lost 21 games. He started in a career-high 44 games and pitched in a club record 382-1/3 innings. He continued to remain below the league average with an ERA of 2.51.

The Tigers finished in 6th place in 1906, but Mullin had another strong year with a record of 21-18 and 35 complete games.

Mullin's Workhorse Abilities

Mullin had remarkable stamina as a pitcher. He started 428 games and had 353 complete game -- 25th highest total in major league history. He was among the American League leaders in complete games nine straight years (1903-1911) and innings pitched for eight straight years (1903-1910). His career highs were 42 complete games (1904) and 382⅓ innings (1905), both Tigers team records.

To this day, Mullin is the Tigers' all-time innings pitched leader, both in a career (3394) and in a season (382⅓).

An Intimidating Fastball with Control Problems

Mullin was a powerfully built pitcher with an intimidating fastball, perhaps even more so due to his imperfect control. He hit batsmen 131 times in his career -- the 19th highest total in major league history. He also threw 85 wild pitches and gave up 1238 bases on balls -- 45th most in major league history. He led the league in walks allowed four times (1903-1906), including a career high 138 in 1905, and was among the league leaders in walks allowed 11 times.

The American League Pennants: 1907-1909

In 1907, the Tigers added Hughie Jennings as manager, and with the bats of Ty Cobb and Sam Crawford, the team finally had the winning combination, as they won three straight American League pennants from 1907-1909. During the Tigers' pennant years, Mullin won 66 games and pitched 105 complete games and more than 950 innings.

Mullin's best season was 1909, when he started the season with a one-hitter on Opening Day and then recorded eleven consecutive wins. He did not lose a game until June 15, 1909, and went on to lead the American League in both wins (29) and win percentage (.784).

ix Complete Games in the World Series

Mullin started 6 World Series games for the 1907-09 Tigers. He went the distance, pitching complete games, in all 6 World Series Games he started. He gave up only 12 earned runs in 58 innings, for a lifetime ERA of 1.86 in World Series play.

Despite strong pitching from Mullin, the Tigers lost each of the World Series they played in from 1907-1909. He had a 2.12 ERA in the 1907 World Series, but the Detroit bats went cold, and Mullin lost both games he started. Mullin holds the distinction of being the only pitcher in World Series history to lose 20 games during the regular season, and still appear in the World Series. Mullin posted a 20-20 record in the '07 season. In the 1908 Series, Mullin pitched a complete game shutout for a win. And in the 1909 World Series, Mullin won two games, including a 5-hit, 10-strikeout complete game shutout in Game 4 against Honus Wagner's Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Cuban Tour of 1909

In November 1909, a group of Detroit Tigers players toured Cuba and played 12 exhibition games against two integrated Cuban teams, Habana and Almendares. Mullin was among the Tigers players who toured Cuba. The tour drew wide attention in Cuba, where baseball was already very popular. Demonstrating the high level of play in Cuba, the Tigers lost 8 of the 12 games to the integrated Cuban baseball teams. [ [http://www.cubanball.com/Images/BBCards/CCpre45/Cabanas/cabanas.html Cabanas ] at www.cubanball.com] On November 27, 1909, Mullin shut out the Cuban Almendares team in a 4-0 victory for the touring Tigers. [ [http://www.baseballlibrary.com/ballplayers/player.php?name=George_Mullin_1880&page=chronology The Ballplayers - George Mullin | BaseballLibrary.com ] at www.baseballlibrary.com]

One of the All Time Assists Leaders

An all around athlete, Mullin had great range and ability to get to the ball. He contributed 1244 assists as a pitcher, the 7th highest total of any pitcher in major league history, behind legends such as Cy Young, Christy Mathewson, Grover Cleveland Alexander, and Walter Johnson. His career record of 2.56 assists per game also ranks 7th in major league history for pitchers. He had a career-high 163 assists in 1904 and twice led the league in assists by a pitcher.

A Batter Who Once Pinch Hit for Ty Cobb

Mullin also excelled as a batter. He had a career .262 batting average with a .319 on base percentage. He had 96 extra base hits, 122 bases on balls, and 18 stolen bases. Hit hit three doubles in his first major league start and batted .325 in his rookie season. He was such a reliable hitter that he was used 101 times (with 21 hits) as a pinch hitter. (Paul Votano, "Stand and Deliver: A History of Pinch-Hitting" (McFarland 2003), p. 33) [cite book
title=Stand and Deliver
author=Paul Votano
year=2003
publisher=McFarland
isbn=0786415886
url=http://books.google.com/books?id=cKIvn91tVMAC&pg=PA33&lpg=PA33&dq=%22george+mullin%22+wabash&source=web&ots=a2ILt38SwK&sig=vbSAJCYQWMpiBk6lfzYr-mCEbVc#PPA33,M1] On September 18, 1906, Mullin even pinch hit for Ty Cobb. Cobb was slumping and manager Bill Armour summoned Mullin to bat for Cobb in the bottom of the 9th inning. According to the next day's account in the Detroit Free Press, Mullin "hit center field with a triple." (Paul Votano, "Stand and Deliver: A History of Pinch-Hitting" (McFarland 2003), p. 29) [cite book
title=Stand and Deliver
author=Paul Votano
year=2003
publisher=McFarland
isbn=0786415886
url=http://books.google.com/books?id=cKIvn91tVMAC&pg=PA29&lpg=PA29&dq=george+mullin+pinch+hit+cobb&source=web&ots=a2ILuW7ZFM&sig=iJODI0V5hNEHMTtqT61xB9dkL1M]

Later Years

Mullin continued as a winner and a workhorse in 1910 and 1911, with records of 21-12 and 18-10.

On April 20, 1912, Mullin was given the honor of pitching the first game at the new Navin Field, beating the Indians 6-5 in 11 innings. Mullin won his own game with an RBI single.

On May 21, 1912, Mullin shut out the Washington Senators, earning his 200th career win -- a 2-0 pitching duel with Walter Johnson.

And on July 4, 1912 (Mullin's 32nd birthday), he pitched the first no-hitter in Detroit Tigers history, as Mullin helped himself with 3 hits and 2 RBIs in the game.

In by|1913, Mullin got off to a shaky 1-6 start, and he was sold to the Washington Senators on May 17, 1913.

In 1914, Mullin jumped to the newly formed Federal League and played for the Indianapolis Hoosiers. Mullin had a one-year revival playing for the Hoosiers in his home state of Indiana. His 2.70 ERA was among the Federal League leaders, and he also hit .312 with a .404 on base percentage and 21 RBIs in 77 at bats.

In 1915, the Hoosiers moved east and became the Newark Peppers, and Mullin played in only five games. His last major league game was with the Peppers on May 23, 1915.

Mullin died in 1944 at age 63 in Wabash, Indiana. He was posthumously inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1962.

Notes

ee also

* 1909 Detroit Tigers season
* Detroit Tigers team records
* List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
* List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
* List of Major League Baseball saves champions
* List of Major League Baseball wins champions
* MLB All-Time Hit Batsmen List

External links

*
* [http://www.thedeadballera.com/Obits/Mullin.George.Obit.html The Deadball Era]
* [http://www.baseballlibrary.com/ballplayers/player.php?name=George_Mullin_1880 BaseballLibrary.com]
* [http://www.cubanball.com/Images/BBCards/CCpre45/Cabanas/cabanas.html Article on Tigers 1909 Visit to Cuba and Cabanas Cards]