August 20, 2004; April 29, 2016 – A star pitcher-outfielder, as well as valedictorian, at Cathedral High School in Springfield, MA, Chris Capuano was drafted out of high school by the Pirates but chose to go to Duke University on a baseball scholarship. Following his junior year, he was signed by the Diamondbacks, but before beginning his professional career he completed his degree in Economics at Duke where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. The discipline and tenacity that enabled him to be a successful student-athlete at Duke helped him to endure and survive several obstacles in his big-league career, including two Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgeries and assorted other injuries.

Following a trade to Milwaukee, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound left-hander had his breakout season in 2005. His 18 wins were the most by a Brewers pitcher since 1987, and as of 2021, only three had ever won more in a single season. He was named to the All-Star team in 2006, but in 2007 underwent his second Tommy John surgery, which forced him to miss the 2008 and 2009 seasons. He returned to the Brewers in 2010, mainly as a reliever, then spent the next five seasons pitching for the Mets, Dodgers, Red Sox and Yankees, alternating between starting and relieving roles. In 2016 he returned once more to Milwaukee, where his season was cut short at the All-Star break by an elbow injury.

In spite of his many setbacks, Capuano never gave up on returning to the mound. His determination and work ethic enabled him to spend part or all of 12 seasons in the majors, compiling a record of 77-92 with a 4.38 ERA. Following his retirement, he earned an MBA degree from MIT and became Operations Director of the MLB Players Association.