Bob Meiners
2024 Hall of Fame Inductee
Eitzen, MN
Eitzen, MN
Bob Meiners' amateur baseball career spanned 21 years beginning as a 14-year-old in 1950. Bob played his first organized baseball during grade school and later became a four-year letter winner in baseball at Caledonia High School. His love for the sport took root during high school, as he excelled in various positions: shortstop, outfield, pitcher and catcher. He graduated in 1954 after lettering in football, basketball, baseball and track.
During the years when town ball was a favorite pastime in small towns throughout the state, Bob played for Eitzen on Sundays in the Tri-State League and for Caledonia in the Root River League multiple nights a week. Known as a right-handed power hitter who hit over .300 for his career, he also played multiple positions with his biggest impact coming on the mound where his fastball and curveball won his team many big ballgames over the years. Perhaps Bob's most memorable moment was hitting a walk-off three-run home run in the region playoffs in 1964 to send Caledonia to the state tournament. In all, he played in six state amateur tournaments, four with Caledonia and two with Rushford as a draftee.
From 1958-60, Bob served in the U.S. Army and helped boost morale through baseball, traveling to various German military bases, including Berlin and Munich. When his military service ended in 1961, Bob returned to Eitzen and continued his amateur career. After work, he could often be found maintaining the field and doing other odd jobs around the park. Bob's commitment to his community was a cornerstone of his life. Despite his busy schedule, he raised funds for uniforms and equipment, along with playing a pivotal role in funding the construction of a new baseball field in Eitzen in the late 1960s.
Dedicating his life to making a difference, Bob owned Meiners Lumber Company, served on the Eitzen Fire Department, Eitzen City Council and Eitzen Lions Club. He served as a trustee and parish council member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Caledonia where he also served as an usher and lector. Bob was also a member of the Houston County National Wild Turkey Federation for over 40 years.
Bob's journey was always accompanied by the support of his wife, Marlene. Together they have six children: Mike (Jean), Julie (Dave), Jill (Don), Lori (Scott), Kari (Eric), and Kristina (Christopher), 11 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
During the years when town ball was a favorite pastime in small towns throughout the state, Bob played for Eitzen on Sundays in the Tri-State League and for Caledonia in the Root River League multiple nights a week. Known as a right-handed power hitter who hit over .300 for his career, he also played multiple positions with his biggest impact coming on the mound where his fastball and curveball won his team many big ballgames over the years. Perhaps Bob's most memorable moment was hitting a walk-off three-run home run in the region playoffs in 1964 to send Caledonia to the state tournament. In all, he played in six state amateur tournaments, four with Caledonia and two with Rushford as a draftee.
From 1958-60, Bob served in the U.S. Army and helped boost morale through baseball, traveling to various German military bases, including Berlin and Munich. When his military service ended in 1961, Bob returned to Eitzen and continued his amateur career. After work, he could often be found maintaining the field and doing other odd jobs around the park. Bob's commitment to his community was a cornerstone of his life. Despite his busy schedule, he raised funds for uniforms and equipment, along with playing a pivotal role in funding the construction of a new baseball field in Eitzen in the late 1960s.
Dedicating his life to making a difference, Bob owned Meiners Lumber Company, served on the Eitzen Fire Department, Eitzen City Council and Eitzen Lions Club. He served as a trustee and parish council member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Caledonia where he also served as an usher and lector. Bob was also a member of the Houston County National Wild Turkey Federation for over 40 years.
Bob's journey was always accompanied by the support of his wife, Marlene. Together they have six children: Mike (Jean), Julie (Dave), Jill (Don), Lori (Scott), Kari (Eric), and Kristina (Christopher), 11 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.