Justin Krassner

#1 - 1B (profile)

Justin, or “Brutus” as he is known, is the nephew of Steve Fador. Justin first played for DRS in 1999 when he was only fifteen. Expecting to simply come out and watch his uncle in action, he was shocked when the taxmen jumped to a big lead and he was asked to enter the game as a pinch hitter.

Six years later, when the taxmen were looking for additional help at first base during Darren LaForge’s softball hiatus, Justin was playing in a competitive softball league in Winsted, and was recruited by Steve.

Justin chipped in and provided the team with a huge lift in ‘05. Playing during the early part of the year, when DRS really needed help, Brutus batted .645 in 10 games, along with 12 runs scored, 13 ribbies, 7 doubles, and a triple. Next to Mike Malone and Dave Cushman, he was the purest hitter on the team - consistently ripping hard flies and line drives, and very seldom popping up or grounding out.

The downside of Justin’s game, and something that evidently is inherent in his family’s genetics, is the base running. Like Uncle Steve, Justin is a stocky guy. In comparing him to major leaguers, he more resembles a plodding John Kruk than a speed demon like Rickey Henderson. But swiftness aside, Brutus has had other issues on the basepaths, like trying to stretch singles into doubles, trying to tag on shallow flies, or trying to go second to third on a shortstop’s throw to first on a ground ball. These situations typically resulted in a certain taxman getting nabbed in a rundown or being tagged out.

If and when Justin finally gets himself back home from college, intramural rugby, and drinking games, he’s more than welcome to rejoin his old team any time.