Remembering WinPitcher 🥺
Stone193
Posts: 24,848 ✭✭✭✭✭
Some of the longtime members here will remember Steve DiRenno — WinPitcher.
Steve and I exchanged literally thousands of PMs over the years. He had an incredible memory for members, their collections, old threads and just about anything that ever happened around here. I used to kid that Steve was my source for everything. Looking back, he was my AI before there was AI. 😎
His tagline was “Watching from the sidelines,” which fit him perfectly. He didn't have to be in the middle of everything, but somehow he always knew what was going on.
I lost touch with Steve and recently decided to see if I could find my old friend. Sadly, I learned that Steve passed away in February 2021 at only 65.
Those who knew him will remember his quick wit and his love of cards, but softball was also a huge part of his life. Steve pitched for decades and was still playing long after most of us would've been happy just to make it from home to first.
Steve also endured something no parent should ever have to face — the loss of his 15-year-old son William in 2001. The following year he established the William Anthony Di Renno Scholarship Award, personally helping an Ossining High School graduate each year get a start toward college or trade school.
I'm glad I went looking for him, even though this wasn't the ending I hoped to find.
Rest in peace, old friend.
Comments
Oh no! I remember him in so many threads. Sorry to hear this news.
RIP
Sorry to hear the sad news…
@Stone193 very nice... was having an off day and this put things in perspective... thank you!
Steve was a good dude. RIP.
I had 2,338 PMs with Steve.
I'm profoundly disappointed that when he dropped out we didn't stay in contact. I did try to reach out but got no response.
Steve will be "forever on the side lines" viewing. 👍
Definitely remember him. He and I exchanged several PMs over the years (nothing compared to you, Mike). Good man with great insight. RIP
Steve was one of the best of us. So sad to hear he's gone. R.I.P.
RIP.
Think Steve was part of our early BBCE pack breaks too.
hate to hear it. i did not know steve, but certainly remember him as a member. i sometimes go back and read some of the more memorable threads from the past. i often wonder what has happened to many of the old members who no longer post. if they just dropped out of the hobby, moved over to FB, IG etc. sadly, some have passed on.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
@stone193 Mike, excellent writeup on this sad news. I remember Steve from my earlier days on these boards. There was rarely a thread on here in the 2000s-2010s that didn't have his informative input. He was certainly a good member here.
collecting O-Pee-Chee (OPC) baseball cards
also collecting US & Canadian junk silver
^ In addition to what you mentioned.
As cards have greatly gone up in "value" much of the fun is removed. "Money Changes Everything" .
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)
He was 100% the man. He has been and will continue to be missed around here. 😔
I remember Steve from these boards. 65 is definitely too young to go. I wonder how many other ex-board members who no longer post and not living any more.
So sorry Mike and to those who knew him well. I remember him in many a thread over the years. We often take it for granted that people will be with and around us forever. Very good that you did follow up and started this nice remembrance thread.
John
I am sorry to hear this news, Mike. I remember him well. May he rest in peace. Sucks how old we are all getting and how many members we lose over time.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
RIP Steve
HOF SIGNED FOOTBALL RCS
I remember Steve well. He was a very integral part of the CU community. And you have left a nice tribute to your old friend, Mike.
Eyebone
Certainly remember his consistent presence online. Seems he was a wonderful soul. RIP card collecting brother. 🙏🙏🙏
Ughhh, I remember him well. An OG CU legend if there ever was one. I try my best not to think the worst to see when someone so passionate in the past hasn't logged in for a long time. Reality is that's going to be all of us. RIP WinP
COPPER is gutter !
I remember him (and his avatar) well......Thank you for looking into this..
RIP Steve
IMF
Very sad. Win was a great member. Him being a Pitcher makes sense now. Thanks Mike!
Successful card BST transactions with cbcnow, brogurt, gstarling, Bravesfan 007, and rajah 424.
i was thinking about this and how it was interesting to see steves picture. I am so used to seeing everyones avatar, that is just how i picture them in my mind. funny how that works for me. I also never think about peoples first names here, always their screen name.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
Thanks Mike. RIP To Steve. Had a few transactions with him and always remember him being part of the old BBCE breaks. Gone way to early. 🙏
TGF Collection
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