Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
MEYER, Leroy
MEYER, LeRoy (Leo) "Chief." Meyer, a well-known local baseball player for many years, served as clerk of court from January 1, 1965 until his retirement in the fall of 1985. He was the last elected clerk before the state took over the office and began a new appointment process.
With a career in the sport ranging from 1910 to 1930, he played BASEBALL for COLUMBIA COLLEGE. Meyer also played two years of professional with Dubuque in the Mississippi Valley League and was remembered as one of the region's finest catchers. At the age of 55, he was one of the last catchers who teamed with Joe MCGINNITY, now a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. When Meyer threw the ball, if McGinnity caught it with one hand a curve ball would be next. If McGinnity caught the ball with two hands it indicated a fast ball would be coming. After a period of time, the two players would meet and decide whether to switch their signals just to confuse anyone watching. (1) More than twenty-five years after his playing days, Meyer was one of the few invited as a guest at the opening game of the Dubuque Packers. (2)
Meyer was also an outstanding football player between 1914 and 1930. In 1916 he was a first-team right end on the Midwest Catholic College All-Star team. (3) He later formed the DUBUQUE BEARS and at a time when football equipment was very skimpy, he played captain without a helmet. (4)
In 1989 he was inducted into the DUBUQUE COUNTY BASEBALL HALL OF FAME.
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Source:
1. O'Neill, Bill, "The 'Chief' Played for Keeps," Telegraph-Herald, May 21, 1961, p. 23
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
