Naperville North senior center fielder Max Steele had a banner day.
On Thursday, the Benedictine commit doubled and tripled and caught the final out as the Huskies clinched the DuPage Valley Conference title.
After posing for banner-raising pictures alongside teammates, including his younger brother, Sam, a sophomore who started alongside him in left field, Max Steele attended a pre-graduation ceremony for the senior class.
“It’s a super special year,” Max Steele said. “The last two years getting to play with Sam, it doesn’t feel real sometimes.
“Looking over my shoulder and seeing him next to me in the outfield is just unreal and awesome. I’m enjoying and embracing every second of it because we don’t know how much longer we have.”
Indeed, Max Steele’s high school career is nearing the end. The Huskies earned the top seed in the DVC Tournament next week with a 6-3 victory over visiting Neuqua Valley on Thursday, meaning they are guaranteed at least one more home game in a brief but remarkable era.
The Steeles, who also play basketball, started as freshmen on the varsity baseball team, which Naperville North coach Jim Chiappetta believes is an unprecedented feat.
“It’s unique to get two kids that talented but also so mentally ready at that young age,” Chiappetta said.
The Steeles have helped the Huskies (17-11, 12-3) win two straight regular-season conference titles. They excel at the plate, where Sam Steele is the leadoff hitter and Max Steele bats third, and in the field.
Max Steele is hitting .379 with nine doubles, two triples, one home run, 22 RBIs and 28 runs scored, and he is 4-2 with 40 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings. His 112 career hits rank sixth in program history.
Sam Steele is batting .333 with 12 doubles, four home runs, 19 RBIs, 30 runs scored and 10 stolen bases.
“They’re both immensely talented players,” Chiappetta said. “They always make an impact. But one of my favorite dynamics without question is watching them grow as brothers and build on each other. That will be a special memory for them but a special memory for us too.”
The memories aren’t all sweet. The Steeles’ father, Stetson, who ran track and cross country at Iowa, recalls daily fights in the backyard.
“We’d fight over anything,” Max Steele said. “My dad comes from a family with two brothers as well, so he knew how to handle it, just kind of let it happen.
“We used to play football on our knees in the house, and we’d full-on tackle each other. Then we’d go outside and do the same thing, and our dad stopped the game because we would make too many holes in the lawn. We would play baseball out there, and we’d beat on each other.”
The Steeles stopped fighting once they became teammates at Naperville North. Now they mostly get along.
“Once I got to high school, I kind of matured a little and realized that he’s not so bad after all,” Max Steele said. “I’ve always loved him, but the fighting has become more controlled.
“When he strikes out and walks back to the dugout, sometimes I let him know about it, but it’s all because I love him so much.”
The relationship deepened when Max Steele got his driver’s license two years ago.
“He used to have to drive me around places, and I think that’s the big turning point,” Sam Steele said. “Since then, we’ve been best friends and great teammates together, and we’re living the best life we can.”
The brothers credit each other for that.
“It’s surreal playing with Max,” Sam Steele said. “I used to not like him as much, but now he’s a mentor to me. I look up to him even though I don’t want to admit it. I love the way he plays baseball, and he’s a great basketball player. So I’m following in his footsteps and following how he is becoming a young man.”
The mentorship works both ways.
“A lot of people know how hard Sam works, and I get to see it every single day at home,” Max Steele said. “He’s always wanting to go hit and lift.
“He’s sometimes forcing me to go to the gym when I don’t want to, so the little brother is trying to help me get stronger.”
In so doing, the Huskies get stronger.
“It shows up in the game,” Max Steele said. “Sam’s trying to be the energy guy, and I’m super proud of the player and person he’s become.”
Chiappetta is proud of both brothers and wishes the Steele family had more kids.
“Mom and dad, where’s the third one?” Chiappetta quipped. “We will enjoy it as long as we can with these two. They’re great kids.”
Sam Steele aspires to play college baseball just like Max, who is thankful for his high school years.
“I’m super grateful for all my teammates, for the school and everything they’ve done for me, making me a better student and person,” Max Steele said. “Everything is going well.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
