Richard A. Meyer
Richard Allan Meyer | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | December 10, 1990 (aged 74) |
| Occupation(s) | Business executive, baseball executive |
| Years active | 1937–1974 |
| Known for | President of Anheuser-Busch (1971–1974); General Manager of St. Louis Cardinals (1953–1955); Executive Vice President of St. Louis Cardinals |
Richard Allan Meyer (November 9, 1916 – December 10, 1990) was a prominent American executive and businessman associated with the Anheuser-Busch Companies from 1937 until 1974, as well as with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball between 1953 and 1974. He held the position of president at Anheuser-Busch from 1971 to 1974 and was a trusted senior executive and advisor to brewery owner August A. Busch Jr. Born in St. Louis, Meyer pursued his education at the St. Louis University School of Commerce and Finance.
When Busch purchased the Cardinals from Fred Saigh in 1953, he appointed Meyer as the team's general manager, drawing on Meyer's experience as a youth baseball athlete. Despite the norm that Major League general managers possess extensive professional baseball operations experience, Meyer fulfilled this role for two seasons. Under his management, the Cardinals debuted notable rookies such as Wally Moon, Bill Virdon, and Ken Boyer, and integrated the team racially by introducing first baseman Tom Alston in 1954. Nevertheless, the club faced challenges, compiling a combined record of 140–168 and finishing sixth in 1954 and seventh in 1955, with a managerial change from Eddie Stanky to Harry Walker in May 1955.
After this era, Busch and Meyer appointed seasoned baseball executive Frank Lane as general manager on October 6, 1955. Meyer then transitioned back to Anheuser-Busch but continued serving as executive vice president of the Cardinals for an additional 18 years, functioning as the principal intermediary between successive general managers—Lane, Bing Devine, Bob Howsam, and Stan Musial—and owner Busch.
At 57 years old, Meyer resigned from his roles at both Anheuser-Busch and the Cardinals in February 1974 after nearly four decades, due to disagreements with Busch concerning staff reductions.
He passed away on December 10, 1990, aged 74.