History Blog: Fred Muller, Alvarado Baseball Player

Fred Muller, born in 1907, grew up in Newark and Alvarado. His mother is the daughter of Walter S. Robie of Alvarado.

In 1928, Fred signed with the Seattle Indians of the Pacific Coast League, but he still played for the local Alvarado team when he was back home. In June of 1929, Fred sprained his ankle during a game and recuperated at the home of his grandparents. In 1932, Fred was assigned the position of second base with Seattle. That same year he led the Pacific Coast League in home runs. He hit 38 home runs and had a batting average of .282.

In 1933, his contract with Seattle was bought by the Red Sox. In that year, he had a batting average of .327 and drove in 66 runs in 83 games. The Red Sox sent him to Montreal, then he was sent back to Seattle, and then again to Boston to play for the Red Sox.

In 1934, his contract was purchased by the New York Yankees and he was sent to play for the New Jersey Bears where his team won a pennant in the International League. In 1935, the Yankees sent him to the Oakland Oaks. In a game with Sacramento, where the Oaks won 4-2, Fred was given credit for driving in all of the runs. In 1936 and 1937, Fred was back playing for the Seattle Indians. In 1937, he was one of four Pacific Coast League players featured with a card on the back of boxes of Wheaties cereal.

In 1938, Fred was sent to the Seattle Rainers. In 1939, he was playing for the Toledo Mud Hens and in his final year in baseball, 1940, he was with the Portland Beavers.

Fred owned land in Alvarado and during the off season grew spinach, asparagus and cauliflower.