Don Fazio Sr.

Elected : USSSA New York Hall Of Fame in 2015
Inducted : 2016, Rochester, NY
 

Donato and his wife of 51 years, Dianne, have two married sons and three grandchildren, all residing in the Rochester Area.

 

At Watertown High School, Fazio played football, basketball and baseball and captained all three sports. Fazio won the prestigious William I. Gray Award as the Outstanding Senior Athlete.

 

At Ithaca College, he co-captained soccer, basketball and baseball.  The National Soccer Coaches Committee nominated him to the All-American New York State Soccer Team. In Baseball, he was District II 1st Team N.C.A.A.  He participated in the Division I College World Series at Omaha, Nebraska in 1962.

 

Upon graduating with a Physical Education Degree in 1964, he signed with the Boston Red Sox Organization. In his nine years as a professional baseball player, he was on “A”, “AA” and “AAA” pennant winning teams, a Governor’s Cup and Minor League World Series Teams - making two All-Star Teams.  In 1969, he won the Silver Glove Award as the best defensive player at third base.  Upon retiring in 1972, “Don Fazio Day” was held at Silver Stadium.  In 1972 Fazio was inducted into the Ithaca Hall of Fame and in 2006 was voted into the Walk of Fame twice.

 

Following his baseball career, Fazio turned to softball. At age 37, he became player-manager of the Rochester Express, a professional team. With the season record of 30-34 the Express went on to win the American Professional Slowpitch League with Fazio being the MVP.  Fazio played on the Mazzola, Al’s Green, Prince Georges, Rochester Legends 55, 60, 65 and 70’s and Brookhouse teams. These teams won several championships in Glen Burnie, Cleveland, Fort Myers, Las Vegas, Canada, Manassas, Rochester and Syracuse.