William David Mullins (August 13, 1931 – March 2, 1986) was an American politician, educator, and professional baseball player who served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1977 until his death in 1986. A member of the Democratic Party, Mullins represented Ludlow and parts of Chicopee in the legislature.
After graduating from Providence College in 1953, Mullins signed with the Washington Senators as a pitcher, playing in their minor league farm system. However, due to poor performances and a series of injuries, Mullins had retired from professional baseball by 1957. After moving to the town of Ludlow the following year, Mullins became a teacher at the local high school, and he and his wife established a school for aphasiacs. Mullins was elected to the Ludlow board of selectmen in 1968, serving until his election to the state house in 1976.
Mullins was a very conservative Democrat, holding strong positions against abortion and gay rights. Despite his credentials as a "hard-nosed fiscal conservative", Mullins used his position in the legislature to advocate for local aid to many of the small cities and towns outside the Boston area. In 1985, Mullins was appointed vice chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, a powerful position which allowed him to control all spending legislation in the House. By the end of his tenure, Mullins was described as being "one of Western Massachusetts's most powerful legislators".
The William D. Mullins Memorial Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst opened in 1993, and was dedicated to Mullins for his support of the UMass athletics program in the legislature.
Early life and education
William David Mullins was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on August 13, 1931, to Francis and Mary Vail Mullins. His father was a local attorney, while his uncle William E. Mullins was a longtime columnist for the Boston Herald.
Mullins attended Saint Stephen's High School in Worcester, where he played both basketball and baseball. Mullins was described as being "an outstanding basketball player, a strong defensive rebounder with a soft hook shot". In baseball, Mullins was a right-handed pitcher, and his fastball hit 90 miles per hour. Mullins was also physically large: standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing around 200 pounds, he was described as "big and burly".
After graduating high school in 1949, Mullins attended Providence College, having received an athletic scholarship to play on the baseball team. While at Providence College, Mullins was described as being "one of the top college pitchers in New England". In a 1953 game against a dominant University of Connecticut team, Mullins gave up just five hits while netting eight strikeouts; the Hartford Courant reported that he had a "dazzling curveball". In a 1952 game against Bates College, Mullins threw 17 strikeouts.
Mullins graduated from Providence College in 1953 with a bachelor's degree in economics. At some point, he also attended graduate school at American International College and Westfield State University.
Professional baseball career
1953 season
After graduating from Providence College, Mullins was expected to sign with the Cincinnati Reds, who had offered him a $15,000 contract. Mullins had also fielded an offer from the Cleveland Indians. However, Mullins ultimately signed a $6,000 contract with the Washington Senators in 1953 after being scouted by Ossie Bluege and Bill Lefebvre.
Nicknamed Moon Mullins during his baseball career, Mullins played in the Senators' farm system in the minor leagues. In summer 1953, Mullins joined the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Senators' affiliate team in Class AA. His professional debut was on July 19, 1953, in which he was called up as a relief pitcher in the fifth inning of a match against the Birmingham Barons. Mullins ended the 1953 season with a 1–1 game record and an 8.25 ERA.
1954 season
Mullins played with the Lookouts during the 1954 spring training, but struggled to perform. During an exhibition game against the Hagerstown Owls, Mullins gave up five runs across three innings; in another match against the Barons, he gave up two runs in three innings. On March 28, 1954, Mullins was given on option to the Charlotte Hornets, the Class A affiliate of the Senators. The Charlotte Observer described the acquisition of Mullins as being "a prize catch", and he was considered to be the "hottest cookie" in the Hornets roster. Hornets manager Pete Appleton stated that Mullins had a "very good future as a pitcher". In April, Mullins pitched for three innings during an exhibition game against the New York Yankees, holding the Yankees to just one hit and no runs.