Moon Mullen
Encyclopedia
Ford Parker "Moon" Mullen (born February 9, 1917) is a former second baseman
in Major League Baseball
who played one year for the Philadelphia Blue Jays during the season. Listed at 5' 9", 165 lb., Mullen batted left-handed
and threw right-handed. He attended the University of Oregon
, where he played baseball and basketball, and was a member of the basketball team that won the first NCAA men's basketball championship
.
. He received the nickname "Moon" after the popular comic strip character "Moon Mullins
". Mullen attended the University of Oregon
, where he played baseball and basketball. He was a reserve guard on the 1938–39 Oregon Ducks men's basketball team
coached by Howard Hobson
, and winners of the first ever NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. On the baseball team (also coached by Hobson), played third base, catcher, and second base.
were briefly known), posting a .267 batting average
(124-for-464) with 51 runs
and 31 RBI
, including nine doubles
, four triples
, four stolen base
s, and a .315 on-base percentage without home run
s. Following the 1944 season, Mullen was one of many major leaguers who saw his baseball career interrupted by a stint in the United States Army
during World War II
. He served several years, then attended spring training
with the Phillies but did not make the team. He played several years in the minor league
, then managed
the 1950 Boise Pilots of the Pioneer League.
baseball team and taught high school biology and zoology for 27 years before his retirement. Mullen lives in Stanwood, Washington
. At the age of , he is one of two surviving members of the Ducks' 1939 NCAA team (along with John H. Dick), and is one of the oldest living major league ballplayers.
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played one year for the Philadelphia Blue Jays during the season. Listed at 5' 9", 165 lb., Mullen batted left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
and threw right-handed. He attended the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
, where he played baseball and basketball, and was a member of the basketball team that won the first NCAA men's basketball championship
1939 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
-External links:* on Shrp Sports * , source for much of the information on this page.-See also:* 1939 NAIA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament...
.
Early life
Mullen was born in Olympia, WashingtonOlympia, Washington
Olympia is the capital city of the U.S. state of Washington and the county seat of Thurston County. It was incorporated on January 28, 1859. The population was 46,478 at the 2010 census...
. He received the nickname "Moon" after the popular comic strip character "Moon Mullins
Moon Mullins
Moon Mullins, created by cartoonist Frank Willard , was a popular American comic strip which had a long run as both a daily and Sunday feature from June 19, 1923 to June 2, 1991. Syndicated by the Chicago Tribune/New York News Syndicate, the strip depicts the lives of diverse lowbrow characters who...
". Mullen attended the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
, where he played baseball and basketball. He was a reserve guard on the 1938–39 Oregon Ducks men's basketball team
1938–39 Oregon Ducks men's basketball team
The 1938–39 Oregon Ducks men's basketball team was a Division I college basketball team that represented the University of Oregon. The Ducks, coached by Howard Hobson, played in the Pacific Coast Conference and compiled a 29–5 won–loss record in regular and postseason competition...
coached by Howard Hobson
Howard Hobson
Howard Andrew "Hobby" Hobson was a college basketball coach, who authored numerous books on the subject. He also has the distinction of coaching the team who won the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championship with the Oregon Ducks in its inaugural year of 1939.-Playing career:Hobson...
, and winners of the first ever NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. On the baseball team (also coached by Hobson), played third base, catcher, and second base.
Professional career
In 1944, Mullen played 118 games for the Philadelphia Blue Jays (as the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
were briefly known), posting a .267 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
(124-for-464) with 51 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
and 31 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
, including nine doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, four triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, four stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s, and a .315 on-base percentage without home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s. Following the 1944 season, Mullen was one of many major leaguers who saw his baseball career interrupted by a stint in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He served several years, then attended spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
with the Phillies but did not make the team. He played several years in the minor league
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
, then managed
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
the 1950 Boise Pilots of the Pioneer League.
After baseball
Mullen returned to Olympia with his wife, where he coached the Olympia High SchoolOlympia High School (Washington)
"'Olympia High School'" is ranked by the Newsweek article "Our Schools and Their Dilemma" as top 5% of all high schools nationally, due to the significant number of students taking AP Tests, as well as notable music, drama, and sports programs....
baseball team and taught high school biology and zoology for 27 years before his retirement. Mullen lives in Stanwood, Washington
Stanwood, Washington
Stanwood is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. The population was 6,231 at the 2010 census.-History:Stanwood was first settled in 1866 by Robert Fulton. Stanwood's Post Office was established as Centerville in 1870, and the name was changed to Stanwood in 1877 by D.O. Pearson...
. At the age of , he is one of two surviving members of the Ducks' 1939 NCAA team (along with John H. Dick), and is one of the oldest living major league ballplayers.
See also
- 1939 Philadelphia Phillies season1939 Philadelphia Phillies seasonThe Philadelphia Phillies season was a season in Major League Baseball. The Phillies finished eighth in the National League with a record of 45 wins and 106 losses.- Offseason :...
- List of oldest living MLB players