Former Columbus Clipper Hensley Meulens Elected to IL Hall of Fame
COLUMBUS, OH - The International League announced today that Hensley "Bam Bam" Meulens was elected, along with former Durham Bulls manager Charlie Montoyo, to the International League Hall of Fame, Class of 2016. This is the 6th class chosen under the current election process of the IL Hall of Fame.
Meulens spent parts of 5 seasons with the Columbus Clippers ('88-'93), earning IL MVP honors in 1990 when he hit .285 and bashed 26 Home runs while driving in 96 runs. His 1992 season was even better, as he led the league in HR, RBI and runs scored while playing 141 games for the best team in Columbus Clippers history.
"Bam Bam" is in the top 5 in several career offensive categories in the Clippers record book and one of only 3 Clippers to drive in 100 runs in a season. The Curacao native played one season in Ottawa in 1997 after a successful 3-year run playing in Japan. Meulens retired after the 2002 season.
After his playing career was over, Meulens entered the coaching realm. He served as a hitting coach for four years in Indianapolis, before joining the San Francisco Giants organization. He has been the Major League hitting coach in San Francisco since 2010, helping the Giants to three World Series Championships in the last five seasons.
Charlie Montoyo managed the Durham Bulls from 2007-'14 and is the winningest manager in Bulls history. He lead Durham to seven South Division titles in eight seasons and two Governors' Cup titles.
Meulens is the 6th Clipper elected under the current Hall of Fame process, dating to the 2011 class. He follows Clippers greats Steve Balboni, Dave Eiland, Bill Evers, Dave Miley and Marshall Brant into the Hall. Meulens' and Montoyo's names have been added to the IL Hall of fame plaque- a traveling exhibit honoring the IL's best. They will be enshrined in a ceremony at a later date.