WHATEVER HAPPENED TO: Bill Mueller

If not for Bill Mueller, Dave Roberts might not have what has come to be baseball’s most famous stolen base.

Roberts’ highly publicized theft of second in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the 2004 American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees ignited both a Boston rally, leading to a 6-4 victory, and arguably the greatest series comeback in MLB history.

After the pinch-running Roberts swiped second with nobody out off Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, Mueller, with the Sox trailing 4-3, followed with a sharp single up the middle, scoring Roberts and breathing new life into the Sox, who went on to win the game in the 12th inning on a two-run homer by David Ortiz. The Sox then won the next three games, overcoming a 3-0 series deficit, to earn their first World Series berth since 1986.

Everyone remembers the stolen base, most remember the Ortiz homer, not too many recall Mueller’s contribution.

“To me, it’s never been about who should get credit,” said Mueller, now a special assistant to the GM for the Los Angeles Dodgers. “It’s all about putting the pieces together throughout the game. My piece just tied it. David Ortiz won it. Everyone contributed in that game.

“I think the fact that it’s hard to steal a base when everyone in the ballpark knows it’s coming is probably why people remember it.”

Mueller, who was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1993 and made his major league debut with them in 1996, spent three seasons with the Sox, beginning in 2003 after signing as a free agent. The Boston third baseman won the American League batting title in his initial season with the Sox, finishing with a .326 average. During that campaign, Mueller became the only player to hit two grand slams in the same game from the opposite sides of the plate. He finished with three home runs in that game against the Texas Rangers.

In 2004, Mueller posted a .283 average in 110 games and smacked a walkoff homer against the Yankees on July 24, ending the famous Jason Varitek/Alex Rodriguez brawlgame.

The following season, Mueller played in 150 games and finished with a .295 average.

In December of 2005, Mueller signed with the Dodgers as a free agent, but played in just 32 games before a right knee injury forced him to retire in 2006.

“My knee just ran out of cartilage,” he said.

“It was tough to leave Boston,” said Mueller. “Everything they do is first class in that organization. That was a great group of guys and it’s always hard to find a great group. I was spoiled with the Red Sox. That’s the first experience in my career where I felt spoiled as a ballplayer.”

Despite his retirement, Mueller apparently was able to bring some of his magic back to Fenway Park in 2007 when he was asked to throw out the first pitch of Game 6 of the ALCS with the Sox trailing the Cleveland Indians three games to two.

The Sox won that game 12-2 and then won Game 7 11-2 to return to the World Series for the second time in four years.

“Charles Steinberg (former Red Sox executive VP for public affairs) had an assistant call me and say they were thinking about having some of the guys come back from the ‘04 season and wanted to know if I wanted to throw out the pitch. I think the idea was to get the fans excited, maybe get them thinking of another comeback. They tried to get me and Dave Roberts that night. I’m not sure why he didn’t make it. (Kevin) Millar threw out the pitch the next game.

“It was great to go back to a place where I had so many great memories. It was also the first time me and my wife actually got to sit down and watch a game together.”

Today, Mueller remains in the game, reporting to Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, who was the assistant to Giants GM Brian Sabean when Mueller was with the club.

“I wanted to stay in the game and I had discussions with (Colletti),” said Mueller. “Basically, I scout our minor league system. I’m flexible. I’ve filled in as a first base coach for one of our minor league teams, but for the majority of the time I’m with Ned.”

A family man with a passion for baseball, Mueller is unsure what is future baseball life holds.

“I’m holding tight right now,” he said. “Right now I’m enjoying the balance of work and home time.”

Although his loyalty lies with his current team, Mueller cherishes the time he spent in Boston.

‘It’s electric every night,” said Mueller. ‘The people stay until the bitter end. It’s packed every night and the fans appreciate the things you do.

“It’s more laid back in San Francisco. In Boston, you’re going to know from a few more sources whether you played good or bad.”