Barney Meinen

Name
Barney Meinen
Nationality
usaUnited States
Position
Catcher, Coach
Past Teams
Tilden Tigers
Leagues
Chippewa River Baseball League

Class of 2012
Manager
Tilden Tigers 1967-77
Catcher
Tilden Tigers 1950-59, 65-68; Tilden Terrors 1960-64


Roland “Barney” Meinen had a long and durable stay as a catcher, enjoying a 19-season career competing for Tilden. Meinen’s place in CRBL history was cemented, however, during his 11-year reign as the Tilden Tigers’ hard-driving and competitive manager.
With his playing career beginning in 1950, Meinen is on record as a full-time player and catcher until 1965 before finishing his career in spot duty through 1968. Along the way, he accumulated 185 hits in 784 at-bats while driving in 93 runs and scoring 119 tallies.
Acting as player/manager in 1967 and 1968, Meinen led the Big Cats from Tilden to a 15 and 3 record, a CRBL championship, and a spot in the WBA tourney during his second year at the helm. From 1968 to 1972, Meinen’s Tigers won a league record five consecutive league championships, winning the title outright in 1968 and 1970, while prevailing in championship games vs. the Cornell Hawks in 1969, the Bloomer Merchants in 1971, and the Lafayette Indians in 1972.
With divisional play returning to the CRBL in 1973 from a five year hiatus, Barney guided the Tigers to Northern Division crowns from 1974 to 1977, his last four seasons as the head man. During this time frame, two more championships were copped when Tilden beat the Lafayette Indians in 1974 and the Cadott Red Sox in 1977.
Meinen’s WBA resume concluded with nine appearances in his 11 years and four Final 8’s (1972, 1973, 1974, 1976). The one jewel missing from Barney’s crown was a WBA championship, although he did make it to a title bout in 1976, where Tilden lost to Merrill, 3-0.
Barney’s summative ranks among league managers are 1st for league championships, 1st in winning percentage, 4th in WBA appearances, 4th in WBA wins, tied for 4th in Finals 8’s, 5th in league wins, tied for 5th in division titles, and 10th in league games managed.

Batting

SeasonTeamTB1BSLGABRHRBI2B3BHRSBBBSOLOBGAVG
Total-210185.2687841191859320117117192.236

Pitching

SeasonTeamIPHRERBBSOHRWLERASVNOHGAVG
Total-192.236