Steve DiBartolomeo

Stephen Joseph DiBartolomeo (DiBo)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 220 lb.

• School University of New Haven
• High School St. Joseph High School

• Born April 2, 1967 in Bridgeport, CT USA

BR minors page

Biographical Information

Steve DiBartolomeo pitched as high as AA.

DiBartolomeo was an All-American pitcher for NCAA Division II and the New England Collegiate Conference Player of the Year in 1988. The St. Louis Cardinals took him in the 41st round of the 1988 amateur draft, one pick after Chad Ogea, but he returned for his senior year. In 1989, he was 17-1 with 7 saves, a 1.92 ERA and 133 strikeouts. He repeated as NECC Player of the Year and All-American (joining Erik Bennett, Sam Militello and Craig Holman as the pitchers selected). Not only that, but he was named the ABCA Player of the Year for Division II, the first pitcher to win that honor (Tino Martinez had won the initial award in 1988). Militello and Brett Tomko were among the other hurlers who would win in later years. DiBartolomeo also was named the MVP of the 1989 Division II College World Series, the first winner ever from a losing team. He had gone 2-2 with a save in 32 IP, pitching in five of his team's six games and tossing 494 pitches. Baseball America gave him their initial Small College Player of the Year award. He finished his college career with a 43-4, 2.09 record with 10 saves. The Chicago Cubs took him in the 21st round of the 1989 amateur draft, one round after Dave Stevens.

The right-hander had a fine pro debut between the Wytheville Cubs (1-0, 2 Sv, 2 H, 0 R in 8 IP) and Charleston Wheelers (4-2, Sv, 2.05 in 20 G). With the 1990 Winston-Salem Spirits, he was 5-4 with 12 saves and a 3.50 ERA in 41 games. He tied Jay Eddings for 5th in the South Atlantic League in saves. In '91, he wrapped up his pro career with the Charlotte Knights, going 4-3 with a save and a 3.79 ERA in 45 relief outings. While his pro career was not as amazing as his collegiate one, it was certainly respectable (14-9, 16 Sv, 3.18 in 110 G). He allowed 217 hits and 110 walks while fanning 152 in 240 1/3 IP. He also had a hit in his lone at-bat.

Sources

• New Haven Chargers Hall of Fame
• 1990 Baseball Almanac