Don Mueller
Born: 4/14/1927 in St. Louis, MO, USA
Died: 12/28/2011 in Chesterfield, MO, USA
MLB Debut: 1948-08-02 | Final Game: 1959-05-02
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 185 lbs
Full name: Donald Frederick Mueller
Biography
Don Mueller, born in 1927, was a prominent position player in Major League Baseball, whose career spanned from 1948 until 1959. Known for his consistent hitting and solid defensive skills, Mueller played a total of 1,245 games, amassing 1,292 hits and finishing his career with a commendable batting average of .296. Over the course of his tenure, he hit 65 home runs and drove in 520 runs, showcasing his capability as a reliable offensive force. Additionally, he contributed with 11 stolen bases, reflecting a level of speed not often highlighted in power hitters of his time.
Mueller was selected as an All-Star twice during his career, a testament to his skill and impact on the game. He played during a transformative period in baseball history, marked by the integration of the sport and the emergence of new playing styles. His ability to maintain a high batting average and a steady presence in the lineup solidified his legacy as a respected player of his era. After retiring in 1959, Mueller left behind a record that exemplified both talent and dedication to the game of baseball.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1245 | 4364 | 499 | 1292 | 139 | 37 | 65 | 520 | 11 | 167 | 146 | 0.296 | 0.322 | 0.390 | 0.712 | -2534.8 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | NY1 | NL | 36 | 81 | 12 | 29 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.358 | 155.7 |
| 1949 | NY1 | NL | 51 | 56 | 5 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 0.232 | -183.3 |
| 1950 | NY1 | NL | 132 | 525 | 60 | 153 | 15 | 6 | 7 | 84 | 1 | 10 | 26 | 0.291 | -995.4 |
| 1951 | NY1 | NL | 122 | 469 | 58 | 130 | 10 | 7 | 16 | 69 | 1 | 19 | 13 | 0.277 | -16.9 |
| 1952 | NY1 | NL | 126 | 456 | 61 | 128 | 14 | 7 | 12 | 49 | 2 | 34 | 24 | 0.281 | 615.8 |
| 1953 | NY1 | NL | 131 | 480 | 56 | 160 | 12 | 2 | 6 | 60 | 2 | 19 | 13 | 0.333 | 383.6 |
| 1954 | NY1 | NL | 153 | 619 | 90 | 212 | 35 | 8 | 4 | 71 | 2 | 22 | 17 | 0.342 | 1243.8 |
| 1955 | NY1 | NL | 147 | 605 | 67 | 185 | 21 | 4 | 8 | 83 | 1 | 19 | 12 | 0.306 | -277.3 |
| 1956 | NY1 | NL | 138 | 453 | 38 | 122 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 41 | 0 | 15 | 7 | 0.269 | -1411.5 |
| 1957 | NY1 | NL | 135 | 450 | 45 | 116 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 37 | 2 | 13 | 16 | 0.258 | -1494.6 |
| 1958 | CHW | AL | 70 | 166 | 7 | 42 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 11 | 9 | 0.253 | -554.7 |
| 1959 | CHW | AL | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.500 | 0.0 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 18 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.389 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | WS | NY1 | 4 | 18 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.389 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 1084 | 537 | 1816 | 69 | 35 | 20 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | NY1 | OF | 22 | 0 | 33 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1949 | NY1 | OF | 6 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1950 | NY1 | OF | 125 | 0 | 205 | 7 | 3 | 2 |
| 1951 | NY1 | OF | 115 | 0 | 233 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| 1952 | NY1 | OF | 120 | 0 | 221 | 8 | 3 | 4 |
| 1953 | NY1 | OF | 122 | 0 | 203 | 7 | 6 | 0 |
| 1954 | NY1 | OF | 153 | 152 | 263 | 14 | 6 | 5 |
| 1955 | NY1 | OF | 146 | 145 | 239 | 5 | 6 | 1 |
| 1956 | NY1 | OF | 117 | 103 | 180 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 1957 | NY1 | OF | 115 | 100 | 174 | 13 | 2 | 4 |
| 1958 | CHA | OF | 43 | 37 | 57 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 36 |
| Center Field | 1 |
| Right Field | 1046 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 12th | 30.0 | 336 | 0 |