Bob Meiners, a former Eitzen resident now living in Caledonia, was inducted into the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame last September at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. He was joined by his wife Marlene and their six children and their families. Meiners said the honor came as “a complete surprise.”
Hall of Fame inductees are recognized not just for their performance on the field but for their lifelong dedication to “town ball” and service to their communities. Meiners joins two other Caledonia baseball legends: Gordon “Gordy” Bauer (2008) and Warrior head baseball coach Gary Grob (2017).
Born and raised in Eitzen, Bob began playing organized baseball at the age of 14. He started as a shortstop but also played outfield, pitcher and catcher. At Caledonia High School, he lettered in baseball all four years, graduating in 1954, after also lettering in football, basketball and track.
During the heyday of town team baseball across Minnesota, Bob spent his Sundays playing for Eitzen in the Tri-State League and for Caledonia in the Root River League. “The most I played in a week was seven games,” Bob recalled. “Usually, it was probably around one or two games a week, plus a couple nights of practice.” When he wasn’t playing, Bob could be found at the ballfield mowing the grass, dragging the infield, and chalking the lines.
A right-handed power hitter with a career batting average over .300, Bob was a versatile player, though he made his greatest impact as a pitcher. His fastball and curveball led his teams to many victories. One of his most unforgettable moments came during the 1964 regional playoffs when, with Caledonia trailing 7 to 5 in the bottom of the ninth and two runners on base, Bob hit a dramatic three-run homer to send his team to the state tournament. As his wife fondly recalled, the manager’s wife came running out and kissed him.
Throughout his career, Bob played in six state amateur tournaments, four with Caledonia and two with Rushford.
While serving in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960, Bob played outfield on military teams. He explained that this was the military’s way to entertain the troops.
After returning home, he met Marlene when she and a girlfriend were watching him practice, and a year later, they were married. The couple has six children, 11 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, with another on the way.
Although his son didn’t take up baseball, his daughters played softball. Bob owned and operated Meiners Lumber Company in Caledonia for 23 years and sponsored a women’s team, Meiners Lumber, on which all his daughters played.
In Eitzen, Bob served as mayor for six years, was an active member of the Eitzen Lions Club, and volunteered with the Eitzen Fire Department for more than two decades. His commitment to community continued in Caledonia, where he served as a trustee and parish council member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He was also a dedicated usher and lector. Bob was also a member of the Houston County National Wild Turkey Federation for over 40 years.
During his time on the city council, Bob played a key role in securing funding for the construction of a new baseball field in Eitzen. He also helped raise money for team uniforms and equipment.
Bob explained that the city did not have a kids’ program back in the ‘60s. Since then, the Lions Club and the city have invested significant time and money in the ballpark. Sixty years later, the park is filled with young players all summer long.
When asked what advice he’d give to young players, Bob kept it simple: “You must be dedicated and love the sport.” His words echo the sentiments of greats like Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle. Sportscaster Bryant Gumbel once said, “The other sports are just sports. Baseball is love.”
Meiner’s love and dedication to the game are what make amateur baseball so special in Minnesota.