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 right-hander from Wabash, Indiana, mentioned." (Warren Wilbert, "What Makes an Elite Pitcher?" (McFarland 2003), p. 25)
Mullin was a powerfully built right-hander 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) 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.
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