Willie Mueller
Encyclopedia
Willard Lawrence Mueller Jr. is an American
former Major League Baseball
Pitcher
, actor
, and baseball coach. He spent his entire baseball career with the Milwaukee Brewers
organization (1978–1981).
. Mueller attended West Bend West High School where he starred as a prep pitcher.
. Mueller made his major league debut four years later, at twenty one years old against the Boston Red Sox
. Mueller's final appearance was September 20, 1981 against the Baltimore Orioles
.
. Mueller's role of the Duke was known as a menacing relief pitcher for the New York Yankees
. The role of the Duke has even gotten a cult status following. On a March 2, 2011 interview with the Today show, Charlie Sheen
stated that, "the Duke is winning at life" when discussing a installment of Major League.
Mueller is currently the pitching coach at Concordia University Wisconsin
.
. He has two children, Lindsey and Daniel. Daughter Lindsey was a volleyball player at Division 1 Binghamton University
. Son Daniel is currently a pitcher and shortstop for Concordia University Wisconsin
. Mueller is also the uncle of current San Francisco Giants
third baseman
Ryan Rohlinger
. Nephew Mike Mueller pitched professionally in the Atlanta Braves
system. Nephew Adam Rohlinger was a division 3 All American baseball player at Concordia University Wisconsin
.
Mueller remains quite close to former teammates, Jim Gantner
, Robin Yount
, and Jerry Augustine
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former 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...
Pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
, actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, and baseball coach. He spent his entire baseball career with the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
organization (1978–1981).
Early years
Mueller was born in West Bend, WisconsinWest Bend, Wisconsin
West Bend is a city in and the county seat of Washington County, Wisconsin, United States in southeastern Wisconsin. The population was estimated to be 29,894 in 2008...
. Mueller attended West Bend West High School where he starred as a prep pitcher.
Baseball career
Mueller was an undrafted free agent signed after the June 1974 Major League Baseball Draft1974 Major League Baseball draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1974 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :With the number one pick of the June regular phase, San Diego tabbed infielder Bill Almon from Brown University, one of six shortstops selected in round one...
. Mueller made his major league debut four years later, at twenty one years old against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. Mueller's final appearance was September 20, 1981 against the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
.
Post-playing career
After Mueller's baseball career, he played the role of the Duke, in the 1989 blockbuster Major League (film)Major League (film)
Major League is a 1989 American satire comedy film written and directed by David S. Ward, starring Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Wesley Snipes, James Gammon, and Corbin Bernsen. Made for US$11 million, Major League grossed nearly US$50 million in domestic release...
. Mueller's role of the Duke was known as a menacing relief pitcher for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. The role of the Duke has even gotten a cult status following. On a March 2, 2011 interview with the Today show, Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen
Carlos Irwin Estevez , better known by his stage name Charlie Sheen, is an American film and television actor. He is the youngest son of actor Martin Sheen....
stated that, "the Duke is winning at life" when discussing a installment of Major League.
Mueller is currently the pitching coach at Concordia University Wisconsin
Concordia University Wisconsin
Concordia University Wisconsin is a private liberal arts college located in Mequon, Wisconsin. The school is an affiliate of the 10-member Concordia University System, which is operated by the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod ....
.
Personal Life
Mueller resides in West Bend, WisconsinWest Bend, Wisconsin
West Bend is a city in and the county seat of Washington County, Wisconsin, United States in southeastern Wisconsin. The population was estimated to be 29,894 in 2008...
. He has two children, Lindsey and Daniel. Daughter Lindsey was a volleyball player at Division 1 Binghamton University
Binghamton University
Binghamton University, also formally called State University of New York at Binghamton, , is a public research university in the State of New York. The University is one of the four university centers in the State University of New York system...
. Son Daniel is currently a pitcher and shortstop for Concordia University Wisconsin
Concordia University Wisconsin
Concordia University Wisconsin is a private liberal arts college located in Mequon, Wisconsin. The school is an affiliate of the 10-member Concordia University System, which is operated by the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod ....
. Mueller is also the uncle of current San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
Ryan Rohlinger
Ryan Rohlinger
Ryan Lee Rohlinger , nicknamed Rollie, is an American professional baseball infielder who is a free agent.-Personal:Rohlinger comes from an athletic family. Rohlinger has two older brothers, Matt and Adam, and a younger sister Bria. Uncle Willie Mueller was a Major League Baseball pitcher with the...
. Nephew Mike Mueller pitched professionally in the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
system. Nephew Adam Rohlinger was a division 3 All American baseball player at Concordia University Wisconsin
Concordia University Wisconsin
Concordia University Wisconsin is a private liberal arts college located in Mequon, Wisconsin. The school is an affiliate of the 10-member Concordia University System, which is operated by the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod ....
.
Mueller remains quite close to former teammates, Jim Gantner
Jim Gantner
James Elmer Gantner was a Major League Baseball player who spent his entire career with the Milwaukee Brewers .-Background:...
, Robin Yount
Robin Yount
Robin R. Yount is an American former Major League Baseball shortstop and center fielder. He spent his entire 20-year baseball career with the Milwaukee Brewers . In 1999, Yount was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.-Early years:Yount was born in Danville, Illinois...
, and Jerry Augustine
Jerry Augustine
Gerald Lee Augustine is a retired American professional baseball player who was a pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1975-1984 for the Milwaukee Brewers....
.