Brian Jacobson

Class of 2022

Catcher

Lafayette Indians 1987-88; Eau Claire Pioneers 1989; Lafayette Lakers 1990-95

A seven-time all-star during his nine seasons of CRBL play, Brian Jacobson made his mark on league history as a competitive, strong-armed catcher who was able to help his teams win ballgames with both his glove and dangerous bat. Beginning his career with the Lafayette Indians, Jacobson hit .333 (17 for 51) with 1 home run and 10 RBI’s in his rookie year of 1987. In the Indians last year of play in 1988, Brian hit .326 (14 for 43) with a home run and 13 RBI’s in helping the Lafayette Tribe go 8 and 7 and reach the CRBL championship game as a wild card before losing to the Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks 13 to 10 at Lawler’s Field in Lafayette. Playing for the Eau Claire Pioneers in 1989, Jacobson hit .309 (17 for 55) with a home run and 13 RBI’s for an excellent Eau Claire squad that finished 15 and 1, won the South Division, and beat the Jim Falls Sturgeons 14 to 8 in the CRBL championship game. Brian returned to Lafayette in 1990 to play for the Lakers, for whom he would enjoy the finest years of his CRBL career. In 1992 he hit .433 (26 for 60) with 4 doubles, 3 home runs, and 16 RBI’s, pushing the Lakers to their first WBA birth since 1982. Jacobson was even better in 1993 when he hit .466 (27 for 58), with 4 doubles and 3 home runs while tying for the league lead in RBI’s with 26. Accordingly, Brian was named All-CRBL catcher in both of those terrific seasons. In addition to his seven All-Star games and two All-CRBL awards, Brian was also chosen Honorable Mention All-CRBL at catcher in 1987. An observable difference maker, Jacobson payed on three teams within his nine seasons, helping each franchise qualify for the WBA. In total, Brian played in five WBA tournaments – two with the Indians (1987, 1988), one with the Pioneers (1989) and two with the Lakers (1992 and 1995). Falling just short of the 500 at-bat qualifier for “rate” stats, Jacobson finished his CRBL career with a stout slash line of a .349 AVG./.463 OBP/.470 SLG. With his induction, Brian Jacobson forever takes his place as one of the greatest catchers in the history of the Chippewa River Baseball League.