Bill Mueller's Interviews
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Bill Mueller and Shawn Estes on the Fitz and Brooks Show, with Bob Fitzgerald and Rod Brooks; KNBR 680. Early December.
Shawn: Mueller should be calling in soon. We're supposed to go at the same time.
Bob: You know what? Mueller's ball is only going for 125 bucks right now, Shawn, what's the deal? (Referring to a silent auction that the radio station is holding on sports memorabilia, proceeds going to local food banks)
Shawn: We need to get him on the line, then. Pump it up a little bit.
Rod: We got Bill on the line right now? Ok, we're waiting. I thought you two guys were together, hanging out and going to go do The Nutcracker or something like that, Shawn? (Referring to an annual Bay Area sports celebrity performance of "The Nutcracker" ballet, where proceeds go to charities)
Shawn: Yeah, that's where we're going right now. Don't say it too loud, though.
Rod: What part are you going to play?
Shawn: We're all the toy soldiers.
Rod: You gonna wear tights?
Shawn: No tights. Bill was actually going to try and lobby for tights this year
Rod: Oh, Bill Mueller's on the line right now. Bill, Shawn says you're wearing tights, is that true?
Bill: Uh, well. Shawn wanted to lobby for tights, but I said no.
Shawn: Yeah right
Laughter
Bob: Bill, let's be serious for one second, and then we'll talk about the auction a little bit. Does it bother you that you're reading all this stuff where, well, 'Bill Mueller's the one guy the giants are actually fielding phone calls on'. I mean, just as a human being, that's gotta be annoying. What have you done other than play good solid baseball?
Bill: Hey, it's good to be wanted, that's all.
Rod: Amen to that, brother.
Bob: I mean, that's a good way of looking at it, but to me, if they're going to have all these guys hitting home runs at Pac Bell Park, I wouldn't mind having a guy who could hit .300 being on base in front of all these guys. You know what I'm saying?
Bill: Well, they have their philosophy, and they're going to do whatever they feel is necessary for the team and I'm just going to, you know follow their lead, whatever they want to do. And if another team is making a run for me, then you never know what could happen.
Rod: Bill's got a career coming up in the ballet, so what does he care?
Bob: Yeah, that's right.
(chuckles)
Bill: I'm not that good, guys. Trust me.
Bob: Are you and Estes a package deal, though? I mean, if anybody trades for you, does Shawn have to go with or not?
Bill: Ah, geez... you know what?...
(chuckles)
Rod: Shawn's like, depending on where Bill's going, if he does indeed go somewhere.
Bill: Exactly.
Shawn: I'll see him sooner or later, I'm sure. We might play against each other one of these days
Bob: Now, this is actually a nice thing for both of you guys, the 2 autographed baseballs, all the money being raised going to feed the homeless, Bay Area food banks and everything here, and then participating in the whole Nutcracker thing as well during the holidays. A lot of athletes bail out, we never hear from them year-round in the Bay Area, but you guys live here, you're in the community, and when we need you and grab you for stuff, you never say no. I mean, that alone should get your baseballs more than 225 bucks
Bill: Exactly
Shawn: (laughing) Well, Bill I hear you're only worth a buck 25 right now, so I said we needed to get you on the line, to pump up the price...
Bill: Yeah, and I think back in what was it, '93, '94, you were an All Star?
Rod: Um-hm; wow.
(more chuckling)
Bob: Actually, Shawn, we have a bid that said if you could be over .500 this year, that they would bid $500 for the ball. Any promises or not?
Shawn: Yeah, I'll make a promise right now I'll be over .500
Bob: Oh, there we go.
Rod: You know, Shawn, we got that on tape, so that might come back and bite you at some point in June.
Bill: If I hit over four homeruns, the ball should be over four hundred dollars...
(Laughter)
Bob: Speaking of which, have you guys check out pac bell park recently? I know they're still doing some tours and things like that. Have you seen it as it's getting close?
Shawn: I haven't seen the inside of it yet. We drive by it pretty much every day going home, but I haven't been inside. I don't really want to get too excited about it. You never know.
Rod: What about you, Bill?
Bill: Same thing. Just driving by. It's beautiful on the outside, but you don't want to get too close when you never know what could happen
Rod: Yeah, that's the nature of the beast... well, guys, before we let you go, because we know you have to go get fitted for those tights, ahem, I wanted to ask you, as a couple of baseball players, you're around this game and you get to meet so many people, but we're all still fans at heart; We'll start with you Shawn and we'll follow with you next, Bill, do you guys have anything you would like to get as a collectible? Something you'd really want and you'd pay through the nose for?
Shawn: Ah, yeah, there's a couple of things that I can't really mention on the radio right now, but when it comes down to sports stuff, I'm not a real big collector of sports memorabilia. But, actually, you know what? I might bid up Bill's ball right now as we speak. I don't have a Bill Mueller signed baseball yet.
Rod: Well, you know what? It's at 150. Are you prepared to lay down some more cash?
Shawn: Yeah. 155 - Shawn Estes.
laughter
Bob: What? Isn't that like per diem for you, Shawn? C'mon, man.
Shawn: 155. I have to make sure someone'll outbid me
Rod: It has to be in increments of 25, so it's gotta be 175
Shawn: Ok, 175
Bob: Hey, here's the deal, as we get you guys off the phone, though, if a female bids for either of these balls, you'll go out on a date with them, right?
Shawn: (after a pause) Sure
Laughter
Bob: Alright. You know, a little added value. They'll have to meet you at Candlestick, but at least you'll spend some time with this winner, right?
Shawn: I'm speaking for Bill too, right?
Bill: Oh, yeah, thanks.
Laughter
Rod: Hey guys, have a good time at The Nutcracker, we'll talk to you soon, alright?