Steve DiBartolomeo liked pitching in relief, saw 3 seasons

The Cubs talked about making reliever Steve DiBartolomeo a starter in 1990, DiBartolomeo told his hometown Hartford Courant in May 1990.

DiBartolomeo, though, wasn't sure he could handle the life of a starter, getting four days off, he told The Courant.

"Life on the road might really be tough," DiBartolomeo told The Courant. "This way, I come to the park every day knowing I have a shot to pitch. That's the way I like it."

DiBartolomeo never did move to starting full-time - he started four games that year and relieved in another 37. DiBartolomeo, though, never got to start or relieve in the majors. He played four seasons and made it to AA Charlotte, but not the bigs.

DiBartolomeo's career began in 1989, taken by the Cubs in the 21st round of the draft out of the University of New Haven.

At New Haven, DiBartolomeo went 43-4 over his college career. He also won National Division II Player of the Year honors in 1989. He went 17-1, with a 1.92 ERA and 133 strikeouts that year. He earned induction into the school's Hall of Fame in 1999.

DiBartolomeo started with the Cubs at rookie Wytheville and single-A Charleston. He went 5-2 between them, with a 1.76 ERA over 24 relief outings. He also saved three.

He then moved to high-A Winston-Salem for 1990. He went 5-4 there, with a 3.50 ERA and 12 saves.

DiBartolomeo moved up to AA Charlotte for 1991. He got into 45 outings, starting two. He went 4-3, with one save and a 3.79 ERA. That season marked his last as a pro.

• Hartford Courant, May 6, 1990: DiBartolomeo is in control of future in Cubs organization
• New Haven Chargers: Steve DiBartolomeo

More: The 1990 Winston-Salem Spirits

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:3,283
Made the Majors:1,179-35.9%
Never Made Majors:2,104-64.1%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 486
10+ Seasons in the Minors:286