Jeff Neutzling
2023 Hall of Fame Inductee
Dassel-Cokato, MN
Dassel-Cokato, MN
Jeff played his first organized baseball for Albany High School in 1970, winning the state championship that year as a freshman. He also participated in football and basketball and was All-Conference in all three sports his junior and senior years. Jeff played his college baseball at the University of Minnesota where he was a 4-year letter winner. He was named to the All-Big Ten team in his freshman and senior years and was a member of Minnesota’s College World Series team in 1977.
Jeff’s amateur baseball career began with the Avon Lakers in 1971. Even after moving to Cokato in 1980, he continued to play for Avon another five years. He then played with the Maple Lake Lakers for four years before joining the Dassel-Cokato Saints in 1990 for his final 14 seasons. Jeff was an outstanding catcher who hit over .350 for his career and amassed over 100 home runs and 500 RBI. Jeff participated in 30 state amateur tournaments--13 with his own team and 17 as a draftee. He was part of two state championship teams in 1973 and 1981 as a draftee for Cold Spring. Jeff’s playing career ended after the 2003 season, but he continues to dress for the Saints where he can be found coaching first base as an assistant coach. Jeff has also been a key contributor in Dassel’s three state amateur tournament bids.
Jeff has been an usher and Eucharistic minister at St. John's Catholic Church in Darwin for over 35 years. He taught for 30 years in the Dassel-Cokato School District and coached both the high school and legion baseball teams for 13 years and coached many years of football and basketball at various levels. He started the Dassel-Cokato Baseball Association for youth baseball players and was a member of that board for ten years. Jeff was elected to the Albany High School Hall of Fame in 1998 and the North Star League Hall of Fame in 2012.
Although baseball has been a large part of Jeff’s life, his faith, family and friends still are the most important aspects of his life. His late wife, Carol, and their three daughters Emily (1983-2003), Katherine (Brice Berggren) and Margaret (Todd Goudy) were his biggest supporters. He now enjoys watching the numerous activities of his eight grandchildren.
Jeff’s amateur baseball career began with the Avon Lakers in 1971. Even after moving to Cokato in 1980, he continued to play for Avon another five years. He then played with the Maple Lake Lakers for four years before joining the Dassel-Cokato Saints in 1990 for his final 14 seasons. Jeff was an outstanding catcher who hit over .350 for his career and amassed over 100 home runs and 500 RBI. Jeff participated in 30 state amateur tournaments--13 with his own team and 17 as a draftee. He was part of two state championship teams in 1973 and 1981 as a draftee for Cold Spring. Jeff’s playing career ended after the 2003 season, but he continues to dress for the Saints where he can be found coaching first base as an assistant coach. Jeff has also been a key contributor in Dassel’s three state amateur tournament bids.
Jeff has been an usher and Eucharistic minister at St. John's Catholic Church in Darwin for over 35 years. He taught for 30 years in the Dassel-Cokato School District and coached both the high school and legion baseball teams for 13 years and coached many years of football and basketball at various levels. He started the Dassel-Cokato Baseball Association for youth baseball players and was a member of that board for ten years. Jeff was elected to the Albany High School Hall of Fame in 1998 and the North Star League Hall of Fame in 2012.
Although baseball has been a large part of Jeff’s life, his faith, family and friends still are the most important aspects of his life. His late wife, Carol, and their three daughters Emily (1983-2003), Katherine (Brice Berggren) and Margaret (Todd Goudy) were his biggest supporters. He now enjoys watching the numerous activities of his eight grandchildren.