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Friends Indeed
by Jackie Krentzman
Mantle and Ford. Jordan and Pippen. Young and Jones. And now Estes and Mueller.
Okay, so Bill Mueller and pitcher Shawn Estes may not be as famous as Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, or even Steve Young and Brent Jones, but they are fast becoming the Matt Damon and Ben Affleck of the local sporting scene. They were called up to the Giants around the same time, they both live in San Francisco, and they spend much of their free time together exploring the city.
Until recently, Mueller was probably as well known for his friendship with Estes as for his game. The two players know each other in the minors, but they became close at the beginning of the 1997 season when both were in their first full Major League season.
"It all began when he winked at me," Estes jokes. "No, really, we didn't become close until last year. Last year we both happened to move to the City around the same time, and we both were going through the same stage in terms of baseball. So we began hanging out together.
And how. The two finish each other's sentences, and each one seems to know the other as well as himself. When asked which restaurants he likes to take dates, Mueller turned to Estes and asked him, "Shawnie, where do I take dates?"
However, as close as they are, Estes, 25, and Mueller, 26, are nothing alike. Estes is outgoing and spur of the moment, while Mueller tends to be quieter and more conservative.
"People say opposites attract, and we definitely are that," says Mueller. "I'm very conservative, while Shawn is more willing to experiment. He has me trying things I wouldn't normally try, but I've found that good for me. We go to different places, do more charity events--overall he's helped me become more social."
"Bill is a Midwestern guy," says Estes. "He likes routine, and he's real polite. I tend to joke around a lot and be more sarcastic. I think sometimes that side of me rubs off on him, and his politeness and the way he cares about people rub off on me."
Apparently, the way Mueller cares for his buddy Estes carries onto the field. Eight of Mueller's 10 career home runs have come in games Estes started. Mueller has a .366 average with 23 RBIs in the 32 games Estes started in which he has played.
"I don't know how to explain it," says Estes. "I guess I better stay his friend."
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