Russ Meyer – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Russell Charles Meyer wrapped up his baseball career in 1959, pitching his final 18 games for the Kansas City Athletics. The right-handed pitcher from Peru, Illinois, finished a solid 13-season major league run that stretched from 1946 to 1959, with a brief break between 1957 and 1958.

Meyer put together a 94-73 record across 319 games, playing for six different teams during his time in the majors. He traveled through the big leagues with the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Brooklyn Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, and Kansas City Athletics.

His career was all about consistency and resilience, especially considering the obstacles he faced during his military service in World War II.

Meyer’s retirement story is more than just a list of final stats. He started as a promising high school pitcher, even giving up his senior year to sign professionally. Military service almost ended his career, but he came back and became a reliable big-league pitcher. That journey says a lot about baseball in the 1940s and 1950s.

After he retired, Meyer moved into coaching and business. He left his mark on the game in ways that went beyond just playing.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Russell Charles Meyer was born on October 25, 1923, in Peru, Illinois. It’s a small industrial city about 100 miles from Chicago.

Meyer stood out as a pitcher in high school. He really caught scouts’ attention at the 1941 National Baseball Congress tournament and signed with the Chicago White Sox in 1942.

Family Background and Childhood in Peru, Illinois

Meyer grew up in a German-American family in Peru, Illinois. All four grandparents were German immigrants who settled in the area.

His parents, Henry and Frieda (Neff) Meyer, were both born in Illinois. Henry worked as a foreman at a local plow factory, probably the Peru Plow and Wheel Works. Frieda sold baked goods at a retail bakery.

Peru was home to about 9,000 people in north central Illinois. The family lived in a working-class neighborhood, and many neighbors worked at the same plow factory as Henry.

The city ran a really good youth baseball program. That program helped Meyer develop his pitching from an early age.

He showed a lot of natural talent and stuck with the sport throughout his childhood.

High School Baseball and the National Baseball Congress

Meyer made a name for himself during high school, both on and off the field. He got the nickname “Mad Monk” after he and four teammates shaved their heads before a championship basketball game.

His baseball skills really stood out in his senior year, 1941. He pitched for Peru High School and led the team to the finals of the National Baseball Congress tournament, a big amateur competition that brought in scouts from all over.

He performed so well that several major league teams took notice. Three teams showed serious interest in signing him:

• Chicago Cubs
• Chicago White Sox
• New York Yankees

That tournament opened the door for Meyer to go pro. Scouts liked his strong pitching and competitive attitude.

Signing With the Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox ended up signing Meyer in 1942, beating out both their Chicago rivals and the Yankees.

Meyer joined the White Sox farm system right away. They sent him to the Superior Blues in Wisconsin, a Class-C team in the Northern League.

His first pro season had its ups and downs. He finished with a 7-8 record over 184 innings, mostly as a starter. Still, it was good experience and a real taste of professional baseball.

Then World War II interrupted everything. After that first season, Meyer got drafted into the Army, which put his early development on hold.

Military Service and Its Impact

Russ Meyer’s baseball career took a detour in 1942 when he joined the US Army. His time at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri brought both tough challenges and a twist that would change his career for good.

Service at Fort Leonard Wood

Meyer started his military stint at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri at the end of 1942. The base let him keep playing baseball while serving.

He pitched for the base team during his time in the Army. In 1943, he got to show his stuff against pro competition when his base team played the St. Louis Browns.

That game turned out to be memorable, but not in the way Meyer wanted. He was out there, doing what he loved, while also serving his country.

Fort Leonard Wood became both his training ground and the place where his baseball career took an unexpected hit. The base’s sports programs helped guys like Meyer stay sharp and competitive.

Health Challenges and Medical Discharge

During that 1943 game against the St. Louis Browns, Meyer suffered a ruptured appendix while pitching. That emergency would change things for him, both in the Army and in baseball.

Things got serious quickly:

• He developed peritonitis after the rupture.
• Meyer spent 13 weeks in the hospital.
• He lost 35 pounds while recovering.

Army doctors gave him some tough news after he got better. They told Meyer to stay away from baseball for at least two years. That was crushing for a young guy with big dreams.

Meyer got a medical discharge in 1943 because of his condition. It was a tough break, but it also opened some new doors.

The White Sox had missed a step and didn’t put Meyer on the national defense list during his service. Because of that, he became a free agent when he came back, and he signed with the Chicago Cubs. That move eventually led him to his major league debut in 1946.

Transition to Major League Baseball

Meyer’s path to the majors took him through two minor league systems before his Army service put things on pause. After he returned, he worked his way up with the Cubs organization and finally broke into the big leagues in 1946.

Northern League and Southern Association Years

Meyer started his pro career with the Superior Blues in the Northern League after signing with the White Sox in 1942. He had skipped his senior year of high school to go pro.

His minor league stint got cut short at the end of 1942 when he was drafted. He served at Fort Leonard Wood and, while pitching for the base team in 1943, that appendix injury sidelined him.

That injury led to peritonitis, and Meyer spent 13 weeks in the hospital. He dropped 35 pounds and got a medical discharge in 1943. Army doctors told him to stay off the field for a couple of years.

The White Sox hadn’t put him on the national defense list, so when Meyer came back from the Army, he was a free agent. He signed with the Cubs.

In 1944, Meyer pitched for the Nashville Vols in the Southern Association. That was his last stop in the minors before getting the call to the majors.

Major League Debut With Chicago Cubs

Meyer made his Major League Baseball debut with the Chicago Cubs on September 13, 1946. He was just 22 when he took the mound for the first time, facing the Philadelphia Phillies.

In his debut, Meyer pitched three innings, gave up four hits, and allowed one earned run. He struck out four and walked two.

The Cubs gave him a shot after he impressed in the Southern Association. His Army service had delayed his big-league debut by a few years.

That debut kicked off a 13-year career in the majors. Meyer played for the Cubs from 1946 to 1948, then moved on to other teams.

MLB Career Overview

Russell Charles Meyer pitched for six different major league teams over his 13-season career, from 1946 to 1959. He racked up 94 wins and 73 losses, with a 3.99 ERA in 319 games. People knew him as a reliable pitcher, even if his temper sometimes got the best of him.

Pitching Style and Nicknames

Meyer earned some colorful nicknames thanks to his style and personality. He got called “The Mad Monk” after shaving his head with four basketball teammates before a big game in high school. People also called him “Rowdy Russ” and “Russ the Red,” nodding to his temper and willingness to get into it on the field.

He picked up his signature pitch, the screwball, while playing for Nashville. Hy Vandenberg, a former Cubs pitcher, taught him the move. That pitch became a big part of his success.

Meyer pitched with a lot of emotion and intensity. Sometimes his temper landed him in hot water with umpires and other players, and he got suspended more than once. Still, when he kept his cool, he was tough to beat.

Games Started and Positions Played

Meyer played in 319 major league games and started 219 of them as a pitcher. He never played any other position.

His role changed depending on the team and the year. Early on with the Cubs, he mostly came out of the bullpen. By 1948, he joined the starting rotation. With the Phillies from 1949 to 1952, he mainly started games and became a key part of their rotation.

Later, with the Dodgers, Meyer took on different jobs as needed. In 1955, he mostly pitched in relief, showing he could adapt and help the team however they needed.

Statistical Highlights: Wins and Losses

Meyer finished with 94 wins and 73 losses—not bad for a pitcher who bounced around a bit. His best season came in 1953 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, when he went 15-5 and helped them win the pennant.

One of his most memorable games happened on April 25, 1948. He pitched a one-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Whitey Kurowski got the only hit, and it came in the second inning.

Meyer pulled off something rare in the 1953 and 1954 seasons—he became one of just three pitchers to go at least 24 road starts without a loss. He also won a World Series championship with the Dodgers in the mid-1950s.

Highlights With Notable Teams

Meyer’s long career included big moments with the Philadelphia Phillies during their 1950 pennant run and strong seasons with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He played for six major league teams, always bringing his talent and larger-than-life personality.

Key Seasons With Philadelphia Phillies

The Cubs sold Meyer to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1949 for $20,000. He quickly became a big part of their rotation, especially during the historic 1950 season.

Meyer helped the Phillies win the National League pennant in 1950. His performance mattered a lot to the team’s success.

He stayed with the Phillies from 1949 through 1952, mostly as a starter. He built a reputation as a reliable arm, even if his temper flared up now and then.

Notable Philadelphia Stats:

• Key part of the 1950 NL pennant team
• Several seasons as a rotation regular
• Some of his best years came with the Phillies

Those years with Philadelphia were probably the highlight of his early career.

World Series Appearance

Meyer pitched in the 1950 World Series when the Phillies faced the Yankees. He came in as a reliever in Games One and Three.

He took the loss in Game Three after giving up three straight singles in the ninth inning.

The Yankees swept the Phillies in four games. Still, pitching in the World Series was a big deal for Meyer.

The 1950 Phillies, nicknamed the “Whiz Kids,” were famous for their youth and energy.

Years With Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Red Sox

Before the 1953 season, the Phillies traded Meyer to the Brooklyn Dodgers in a four-team deal. That trade gave his career a boost.

Meyer had a fantastic first year with Brooklyn, going 15-5 in 1953 as the Dodgers took the National League pennant.

He kept pitching well in 1954, picking up 11 wins. In 1955, Meyer mostly worked out of the bullpen and notched six more victories.

Brooklyn Dodgers Highlights:

• 1953: 15-5 record, pennant winner
• 1954: 11 wins
• 1955: 6 wins, mostly as a reliever

Meyer also pitched in the 1955 World Series against the Yankees. He threw 5⅔ innings of scoreless relief in Game Six.

After 1955, the Dodgers traded him back to the Cubs. Meyer went 1-6 in 1956 before the team sent him to Cincinnati on waivers.

The Boston Red Sox picked him up in 1957, but he only pitched in two games before heading back to the minors.

Kansas City Athletics and Later Career

Meyer didn’t play any baseball in 1958. The Kansas City Athletics picked him up in April 1959, and that turned out to be his last shot in the majors.

He pitched in 18 games for Kansas City that season. Meyer notched one win in relief, but the team let him go in July.

He wrapped up his career with some pretty solid numbers. Meyer finished with 94 wins, 73 losses, and a 3.99 ERA in 319 games.

During 1953 and 1954, he did something pretty unusual. Meyer became one of just three pitchers to make at least 24 road starts without taking a loss.

The Kansas City Athletics marked the close of his 13-season run. Over the years, Meyer wore the uniforms of six different teams in the majors.

Retirement, Coaching, and Legacy

Russ Meyer finished his 13-year Major League career in 1959 with the Kansas City Athletics. After that, he switched gears and got into business and coaching, sticking around the game for over two decades in different ways.

He found success after baseball, too, working in education and as a professional instructor.

Retirement in 1959

Meyer played his last big league season with Kansas City in 1959. He made 35 appearances for the Athletics, wrapping up a career that started back in 1946 with the Chicago Cubs.

He spent a total of 16 seasons in professional baseball. That included 319 games pitched over 13 years in the majors.

Meyer’s stats show 94 wins and 73 losses. He hit his peak in 1949, racking up 17 wins for the Phillies.

He pitched for six different teams during his time in the majors. Those clubs included the Cubs, Phillies, Dodgers, Redlegs, Red Sox, and Athletics.

Coaching and Work After Baseball

When he retired from playing, Meyer bought into a bowling alley in Gary, Indiana. That business helped support him as he moved on from pro baseball.

Later, he dove into coaching and baseball education. Meyer coached at Illinois Valley Community College in LaSalle-Peru, Illinois from 1980 to 1982.

His biggest coaching break came with the Yankees organization. Meyer worked as a pitching coach in the Yankees’ minor league system for 12 years, starting in 1981.

The Yankees brought Meyer up to their major league staff in 1992. He served as bench coach that season, then stepped away from baseball for good.

Impact on Baseball and Legacy

Meyer made a big impact on baseball after his playing days, mostly through coaching. For 12 years, he worked in the Yankees’ organization and helped a lot of pitchers grow.

He really believed in fundamentals and mental toughness. Those things shaped his own career, especially when he played with the 1950 National League champion Phillies.

Meyer also left his mark through his military service in World War II. He joined the US Army at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, where he had a ruptured appendix that almost ended everything for him.

He died on November 16, 1997, in Oglesby, Illinois, at age 74. Meyer showed the kind of dedication you see in players who served their country and then came back to give even more to baseball, both on the field and as instructors.