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Signed by the Dodgers for $60,000 in 1960, McMullen got his first real shot at third base when Jim Gilliam moved to second for the 1963 Dodgers. But McMullen hit only .236 and in 1964 Gilliam was moved back to third. That winter McMullen had been part of a blockbuster deal with Washington that sent him, along with Frank Howard, Dick Nen, Phil Ortega, and Pete Richert, to the Senators for Claude Osteen, John Kennedy, and $100,000.

Finally a regular, he hit 18 HR with a .263 average and proved to be a good fielder at third base, finishing just behind AL leader Clete Boyer in total chances per game (but McMullen led in errors). He was the Senators' everyday third baseman for four more seasons and developed a good batting eye, reaching a career-high .272 in 1969.

McMullen also led the league in total chances per game three straight seasons with Washington (1967-69), in double plays ('67), and in putouts ('69), and tied ML third basemen's records for assists in a nine-inning game (11 on 9/26/66) and double plays started in a nine-inning game (4 on 8/13/65). After a slow start in 1970, McMullen was sent to the Angels at the end of April for Rich Reichardt and Aurelio Rodriguez, and led for the fourth straight season in total chances per game (although he slumped to .229 with 14 HR). He never won a Gold Glove because he played in the same era as Brooks Robinson.

McMullen's last good season came in 1971, when he reached a career high in HR (21). Dropping off to nine HR in 1972, he went back to the Dodgers in another big deal, going with Andy Messersmith in exchange for Frank Robinson, Bill Singer, Bobby Valentine, and two others. After three years spent backing up Ron Cey and pinch hitting, he signed with the A's for 1976 and was a utility man, leading the league in pinch hits (9-for-31). Sold to the Brewers for 1977, he finished his career as a DH/utility man. (JFC)