Hall of Fame
Steve Parris compiled a 25-10 record in three collegiate seasons at St. Francis and helped take the Gordie Gillespie-coached Saints to a second-place finish at the 1989 NAIA World Series. He posted a 7-2 record with a 3.67 earned run average as a freshman in 1987. His sophomore year numbers included an 8-5 won-lost record and 2.48 ERA. His finest season at St. Francis came in 1989 when he finished 10-3 with a 3.06 ERA. He fired eight complete games that season and struck out 104 batters in 109 innings pitched. He and teammate Don Peters, who finished 15-2 on the year, topped a Saints' pitching staff that carried the team to the national tournament. Parris signed a professional contract with the Philadelphia Phillies following his junior season. He pitched for eight seasons in the big leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1995-96), Cincinnati Reds (1998-2000), Toronto Blue Jays (2001-02) and Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2003) before arm injuries ended his major league career. He is a graduate of Joliet West High School.
