PLAYER PROFILE

One of the founding members of the present day Reds, then known as the Rockies, The Dark Lord began his HRL career in 2006 with Spoon, Seuss, Alex, Gusto and Ian. Steve Payne provided a consistent presence in the Rockies lineup in 2006 while showing flashes of potential on the mound in just 4 starts. In 2007, Palpatine began the season as the Reds default number 2 starter and proceeded to permanently stake claim to a spot in the Reds rotation by posting a dominant 10-1 record with a 1.52 ERA and a sparkling 0.76 WHIP. Steve would go on to have one of the most incredible single game HRL performances in Game 6 of the 2007 World Series, hitting an early three run homerun, then hitting the Series clinching solo bomb in extra innings, all while throwing 8 brilliant innings against the Braves. Palpatine was also honored with the NWLA National Pitcher of the Year award in 2007. Don’t let his age fool you, Steve can still hang with the best wifflers on the planet, as demonstrated by the career high 23 homeruns he hit in 2013 (his age 62 season), and the go ahead two run bomb he hit off Hjal in game 1 of the 2014 ELCS. And oh by the way, in 2015 he set his career low ERA with an astounding 0.26 mark.

PERSONAL

Drafted #7, Selective Service in 1969, Steve is easily one of the nicest people on the planet. He lives with his wife Marilyn in Roseville, MN and has two children, Rachel and Brian “Spoon” Payne, one of the greatest wifflers in HRL history in his own right. He enjoys Twins games, Yuengling, the half rack of ribs special at Chili’s, and manipulating young Jedi into joining the Dark Side of the Force.

Honors & Awards

All-Star (Pitching): 2007, 2008, 2010, 2015
HRL Champion: 2007, 2008, 2009
NWLA National Pitcher of the Year: 2007
HRL "Best Nickname" Tournament Winner