Nicknamed Mandrake the Magician because of the frequency with which his hits found holes in the infield defense, the heavy-legged Mueller joined the Giants full-time in 1949 and became the club’s regular right fielder in 1950, hitting .291. One of his greatest disappointments came in 1951, when he was unable to play in the WS after injuring his ankle in the last inning of the Giants’ “miracle” playoff game victory to win the 1951 pennant.
He hit .333 in 1953 (fifth in the NL), and then had his career year in 1954. He led the NL in hits with 212 and hit .342, just barely losing the batting title to Willie Mays. In the WS sweep over the Indians, he hit .389 and scored four runs.
Mueller did not hit well after 1955 and he retired after 1959 at age 32. He was the son of Walter Mueller, a Pirate outfielder in the 1920s.
