PITTSFIELD — Dominic Dastoli never met Mark Belanger. The former Baltimore Orioles shortstop had stopped playing before Dastoli was born. Yet, that never stopped his interest from being piqued at the idea that a player like Belanger could come from the same hometown as him.

Belanger was born in June of 1944 in Pittsfield. A little over 21 years later, he made his major league debut on Aug. 7, 1965 with the Orioles. He went on to play for more than 15 years in the majors, earning eight Gold Gloves, winning the 1970 World Series and being named an All-Star in 1976.