John McMullin
Encyclopedia
John F. McMullin was an American
professional baseball
player. During the first professional league season in 1871, he was the only regular left-hand pitcher, without much success; otherwise he was an emergency pitcher who played outfield
and everywhere. After playing almost every game throughout the five National Association
seasons, 1871–1875, he did not play a single game in the National League
that succeeded it. He died in his native Philadelphia five years later, only 32 years old.
In 1867 the 19-year-old McMullin was one regular outfielder for the Keystone club of Philadelphia in the nominally amateur National Association of Base Ball Players
. Keystone fielded Philadelphia's second team by playing strength, behind the Athletics. Half the team scored more than three runs per game, including McMullin with 47 in 13 games now on record.
For the 1868 season, two Cincinnati clubs both acquired four or five players from the east; presumably they were compensated somehow. John McMullin joined the Buckeyes and played catcher
more than anywhere else. Evidently the second-best team in the west, they proved to be fatally second-best in the city behind the Cincinnati Red Stockings
and they did not survive to contest the first openly professional pennant race next season. McMullin returned to his native city, now to be catcher, pitcher, and shortstop for the supreme Athletics. He played 49 of 53 known games, the leading number, and held his own in the powerful lineup.
For the 1870 season at age 22, McMullin became a regular pitcher for the Haymakers of Troy, New York
, a pro team of average strength: another powerful lineup but not much pitching. After Troy helped establish the first professional league in 1871, he continued for a second season in that role. McMullin was the only regular left-hand pitcher in the 1871 National Association
(the first pro league season) but there was at least one other regular lefty pitcher on the professional teams of 1870: Charlie Pabor
for the Union of Morrisania.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player. During the first professional league season in 1871, he was the only regular left-hand pitcher, without much success; otherwise he was an emergency pitcher who played outfield
Outfield
The outfield is a sporting term used in cricket and baseball to refer to the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield...
and everywhere. After playing almost every game throughout the five National Association
National Association of Professional Base Ball Players
The National Association of Professional Base Ball Players , or simply the National Association , was founded in 1871 and continued through the 1875 season...
seasons, 1871–1875, he did not play a single game in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
that succeeded it. He died in his native Philadelphia five years later, only 32 years old.
In 1867 the 19-year-old McMullin was one regular outfielder for the Keystone club of Philadelphia in the nominally amateur National Association of Base Ball Players
National Association of Base Ball Players
The National Association of Base Ball Players was the first organization governing American baseball. The first, 1857 convention of sixteen New York City clubs...
. Keystone fielded Philadelphia's second team by playing strength, behind the Athletics. Half the team scored more than three runs per game, including McMullin with 47 in 13 games now on record.
For the 1868 season, two Cincinnati clubs both acquired four or five players from the east; presumably they were compensated somehow. John McMullin joined the Buckeyes and played catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
more than anywhere else. Evidently the second-best team in the west, they proved to be fatally second-best in the city behind the Cincinnati Red Stockings
Cincinnati Red Stockings
The Cincinnati Red Stockings of were baseball's first fully professional team, with ten salaried players. The Cincinnati Base Ball Club formed in 1866 and fielded competitive teams in the National Association of Base Ball Players 1867–1870, a time of a transition that ambitious Cincinnati,...
and they did not survive to contest the first openly professional pennant race next season. McMullin returned to his native city, now to be catcher, pitcher, and shortstop for the supreme Athletics. He played 49 of 53 known games, the leading number, and held his own in the powerful lineup.
For the 1870 season at age 22, McMullin became a regular pitcher for the Haymakers of Troy, New York
Troy, New York
Troy is a city in the US State of New York and the seat of Rensselaer County. Troy is located on the western edge of Rensselaer County and on the eastern bank of the Hudson River. Troy has close ties to the nearby cities of Albany and Schenectady, forming a region popularly called the Capital...
, a pro team of average strength: another powerful lineup but not much pitching. After Troy helped establish the first professional league in 1871, he continued for a second season in that role. McMullin was the only regular left-hand pitcher in the 1871 National Association
National Association of Professional Base Ball Players
The National Association of Professional Base Ball Players , or simply the National Association , was founded in 1871 and continued through the 1875 season...
(the first pro league season) but there was at least one other regular lefty pitcher on the professional teams of 1870: Charlie Pabor
Charlie Pabor
Charles Henry "Charlie" Pabor , also spelled Charley, nicknamed "The Old Woman in the Red Cap", was an American Major League Baseball left fielder and manager throughout the existence of the National Association, –....
for the Union of Morrisania.