League: Chippewa River Baseball League
Primary League
Beef River Bullfrogs vs Eau Claire Rivermen
postponed to 5/4
Mike Pearson
Class of 2022
3rd Baseman
Eau Claire Pioneers 1986; Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks 1987-92; Tilden Tigers 1998
A prolific 3rd baseman, Mike Pearson was a right-handed slugger whose quick hands enabled him to staunchly defend the hot corner while destroying fastballs throughout his eight seasons of play in the CRBL. Breaking in with the upstart Eau Claire Pioneers in 1986, Pearson hit the ground mashing, banging up CRBL pitching to the tune of a .414 average (24 for 58) with 2 home runs and 15 RBI’s. Deservedly, the 3rd sacker was named All-CRBL, an unusual distinction for a rookie in the often unforgiving “prove you can do it” landscape of men’s amateur baseball. Moving north in 1987, Mike joined the Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks, making a strong team an even more formidable foe. In his first year as a ‘Jack, Pearson laced a CRBL leading 8 doubles while hitting .377 (23 for 61) with one home run, 12 RBI’s and 31 runs scored. Used as spot-starter and closer by the Lumberjacks, Mike also had his best season from the mound in 1987, topping the circuit with a 2.70 ERA to compliment a 3-0 mark within 33.1 innings. Pearson’s contributions helped the Lumberjacks roll to a 17 and 1 record, a North Division title, a CRBL crown and a spot in the WBA Final 8. A renowned fastball hitter, the righty eclipsed the .300 mark in six years, with his career peak of .414 coming in the aforementioned 1986 season. His consistent batsmanship enabled him to be an extremely efficient run-producer, as he averaged almost an RBI per game in his career (123 RBI’s in 124 games played). In three seasons, his RBI’s exceeded his games played: 1989 (25 RBI/16 GP), 1990 (16 RBI/14 GP), and 1991 (21 RBI/15 GP). A true basher, Mike hit three home runs in a season five times, with a personal best of 7 bombs coming in 1991 within only 15 league games. The 1991 season also saw Mike pace league pitchers in saves with 3, on his way to finishing his CRBL pitching career with six lockdowns. After playing his last season with Chippewa Falls in 1992, Mike did not play again in the CRBL until 1998, at which point he returned to the hot corner as a Tilden Tiger. In a testament to Pearson’s strong baseball skills, he didn’t seem to miss a beat, hitting .339 (18 for 53) with three doubles, three home runs and 12 RBI’s for the North Division champion Tigers. A member of winning teams his entire career, Mike played on five WBA qualifiers (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991), four North Division winners (1987, 1988, 1990, 1998), three CRBL champions (1987, 1988, 1990), two Final 8 teams (1988 & 1989) and one WBA runner-up (1989). One of the great power hitters of the 1980s and 1990s, Pearson was a six-time participant in the CRBL All-Star game (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1998). From his time as a closer, his career total of six saves is tied for 19th all-time among pitchers. Falling short of the 500 at-bat qualifying mark for all-time rankings, the Thunderous Third Baseman impressively finished his CRBL run with a .349 batting average, a .592 slugging percentage, a .434 on base percentage, and an elite OPS. of 1.026 (on base percentage + slugging percentage).
PJ Johnson
Class of 2022
Catcher
Eau Claire Pioneers 1990-91; Augusta Athletics 1992-95; Hallie Eagles 1996-98
A prototypical catcher in both stature and skill, PJ Johnson played on a winning team in every one of his nine CRBL seasons. It is without question that the rifle-armed catcher with the big bat was a pivotal factor in the extreme success each of his team’s enjoyed. A right-handed batter, PJ hit .300 or better in seven of his nine CRBL campaigns. Moreover, he exceeded .400 in three seasons — .462 in 1992, .443 in 1994, .441 in 1995 — with his career high of .462 (30 for 65) coming in 1992 when he tied for the CRBL lead in hits with 30 during just 17 league games. While knocking in 126 runs in 134 CRBL games, Johnson had three seasons of 20 or more RBI’s (1992, 1993, 1994) with a career high of 25 RBI’s in 1994 during a 16-game ledger. Perhaps no player in CRBL history contributed to more team success within a career than PJ did. In total, across three teams, Johnson remarkably played in the WBA in each of his nine CRBL campaigns. Moreover, he played on a South Division winning squad seven times, a CRBL champion four times (1992, 1993, 1994, 1996), as well as playing in seven CRBL championship contests. A competitive and well-liked player, PJ is most synonymous with the fearsome Augusta Athletics teams of the early to mid-1990’s. Enjoying some of his best years for the A’s, Johnson was a vital cog to Augusta’s WBA runner-up finish in 1993 as well as their WBA championship in 1994. A six-time CRBL All-Star, PJ was selected All-CRBL at catcher for his standout play in 1994. He was also bestowed Honorable Mention All-CRBL status as a catcher in both 1992 and 1995. His annually strong output at the plate resulted in a robust lifetime average of .367 as well as a healthy OPS. of .988 as he retired just shy of qualifying for the all-time leaders in “slash line” categories. With his Hall of Fame induction, PJ Johnson rightfully takes his place as one of the best defensive and offensive catchers in the history of the Chippewa River Baseball League.
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.
Brad Barneson
Class of 2022
1st Baseman, Pitcher
Beef River Bullfrogs 1997-2015
An excellent right-handed hitter and durable left-handed pitcher, Brad Barneson was a vital part of Beef River’s high-scoring and successful teams throughout his standout, 19-season career in the CRBL. Hitting from a slightly closed stance, Barneson used a powerful and compact swing to generate the booming doubles and soaring home runs that were trademarks of the Bullfrogs’ notoriously strong offensive attack. Exceeding the .300 mark in 13 of his 19 seasons, “Barney” captured a batting crown in 2003 when he hit an astonishing .521 (37 for 71) while also leading the CRBL in hits with 37 and RBI’s with 28. Averaging 2.06 hits per game for the 13 and 5 Bullfrogs, Brad’s awesome season helped propel Beef River to a South Division title as well the 2003 CRBL championship game where they vanquished the Tilden Tigers at Tilden 14 to 8 to win the ‘Frogs first CRBL crown. Barneson’s hitting abilities also helped him capture several other league pacing totals, including 2001 when he led the CRBL in RBI’s (17) while tying for the lead in hits (23) and doubles (6). Moreover, in 2005 he led the CRBL in at-bats with 78 in and tied for the lead in doubles with 7. A slick-fielding 1st baseman, Barneson was also a dependable workhorse pitcher for the Bullfrogs. Logging over 40 innings in five different seasons, the lefty had a career best 56.1 innings in 2002 while winning 4 games, the first of four seasons when he won 4 or more contests. His career high in wins came in 2007 when he tied for the CRBL lead with 6 victories. In addition to the 2003 CRBL championship, Barney and the Bullfrogs also won the South Division in 2001 and qualified for nine WBA tournaments, the culmination of which came in 2011 when Beef River lost 9-8 to River Falls in the WBA title game at Coon Valley. A decorated player, Brad played in six CRBL All-Star games (1998, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009) and was selected All-CRBL four times: 2001 (UT), 2002 (UT), 2003 (1B) and 2007 (UT). In five other seasons, the Beef River legend was an Honorable Mention All-CRBL choice: 1998 (1B), 2000 (1B), 2004 (UT), 2005 (1B) and 2013 (1B/P). Upon induction, Barneson’s all-time rankings are numerous. From the mound, Brad is ranked 29th in decisions, [tied] for 40th in wins and 43rd for innings pitched. At the plate, the slugger is [tied] for 8th in triples, [tied] for 13th in total bases, 15th in hits, 15th in RBI’S, [tied] for 17th in singles, [tied] for 18th in doubles, [tied] for 18th in home runs, 22nd in at-bats, 25th in runs scored, 34th in slugging percentage, 35th in batting average and 44th in OPS.
Josh Anderson
Class of 2022
3rd Baseman
Osseo Merchants 2005-14
A hard-hitting righty with a powerful and smooth stroke, Josh Anderson was a standout hitter and defender who exhibited dedication, tenacity and class during his ten seasons of play for the Osseo Merchants. A middle of the order bat, Anderson was also a sure-handed and tough corner infielder. After playing in a reserve role his first three seasons, Josh hit .353 (24 for 68) in 2008 with 6 doubles, 2 triples, 1 home run and 15 runs scored. This was the beginning of a seven-year tear where the Mighty Merchant hit over .300 in six seasons. Included in that stretch was a peak of .390 (30 for 77) in 2012 during which he set career highs in hits (30), home runs (3), RBI’s (23) and runs scored (22). Deservedly, Anderson was given All-CRBL at 3rd base for that outstanding 2012 campaign. Remarkably, over his last four seasons, he hit a combined .363 (106 for 292) while averaging 7 doubles, 1 home run, 19 RBI’s and 18 runs scored. Josh’s thunderous bat was a major factor in Osseo’s path towards becoming a CRBL dynasty. Within Anderson’s 10 seasons, the Merchants qualified for the WBA seven times. His last season of 2014 coincided with Osseo’s first appearance in a CRBL championship game. As a 17 and 5 wildcard team, those Merchants dropped a 9-3 decision to their fellow wildcard and South Division rival Eau Claire Bears. Within that final season of 2014, Josh hit .364 (28 for 77) and set a career high in doubles with 9 on his way to securing his second All-CRBL award at 3rd base. In addition to his two All-CRBL awards at the hot corner, Anderson was also recognized as an Honorable Mention pick in 2011 as a 1st baseman, when he tied for the CRBL lead in hits with 27 while batting .360 (27 for 75) with 5 doubles and 12 RBI’s. Upon induction, Josh’s highest all-time rankings can be found in slugging percentage (34th), batting average (43rd) and OPS (43rd).