Steve Fador

#83 - P, 3B, OF, SS (profile)

Steve is the longtime friend of DRS captain Jim Chakulski. The two first met at Bakerville nursery school back when they were four years old. They’ve been friends so long – going through elementary, middle, and high school, attending the same church and catechism classes, and holding the same after-school jobs – that some teammates think they act like an old married couple. And if you ever heard them argue sports after a couple frosty ones during one of the team’s post-games, you’d probably think the same.

Steve almost joined the team during the 1997 season after moving back to Connecticut from Maine. But in those days, the team limited its roster to DRS employees, so the skipper was hesitant putting someone who didn’t work at the agency (and who happened to be his best friend) in the starting line-up. But following the season, after a couple players left the team, Steve was recruited and joined the club as a full-timer for the 1998 season and has been with the team ever since.

With the glove, Steve could, and would, play anywhere on the field. At different times, he’s been a starter at third base, shortstop, first base, and in all four of the outfield spots. But his biggest contribution has probably been off the pitching mound. Steve’s had 86 appearances, recorded 38 wins to only 10 losses, notched a team-record 22 saves, and has 11 strikeouts of opposing batters. Steve has twice been voted the team’s Cy Young Award winner as the club’s best pitcher.

Steve’s prowess on the mound has led to his being dubbed “El Guapo,” the nickname coming from former Red Sox pitcher Rich Garces. Garces was an effective reliever, jovial and beloved by his teammates, much like Steve.

At the plate, Steve has been one of the club’s more solid hitters. In 209 career games, he’s accumulated 332 hits, 92 extra-base hits, and has hit at a .515 clip. He’s scored 234 runs, driven in 250, and stroked 45 doubles, 20 triples, and 27 homeruns. In a 2006 game against Kanes, he went 5 for 5, scored twice, knocked in 5 runs, and hit 3 doubles. And in his best game, Steve went 5 for 5, with 5 runs, 5 RBIs and a homerun helping propel the taxmen over CPTV en route to their first Cove Cup title in 1998.