Romo with Team Mexico
Sergio Francisco Romo (born March 4, 1983) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He has previously played in MLB for the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins, Minnesota Twins, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays.
Early life[]
Romo was born in Brawley, California to Mexican immigrant parents. Because he was born in the United States, Romo cannot join the Mexican national baseball team.[1] He graduated from Brawley Union High School in 2001, having played shortstop and third baseman on the baseball team.[2]
College career[]
After transferring from Arizona Western College, Romo played NCAA Division II baseball at two colleges: the University of North Alabama (2004) and Mesa State College (2005). Romo was named to the All-Region I second team of the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference in 2002 and 2003. In 159 innings, Romo made a 16-4 overall record with a 2.79 earned run average (ERA).[3][4] He was named First-Team All-Gulf South Conference in 2004 while playing for North Alabama and was 10-3 with a 3.69 ERA in 97.1 innings.[4] In his senior year with Mesa State, he was the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year.[5] In 2009, the RMAC named Romo "All-Time Top Pitcher."[6]
Professional career[]
Romo was drafted by the Giants in the 28th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft.
Romo had his contract purchased from Double-A Connecticut by the San Francisco Giants on June 24, 2008. He made his debut on June 26, 2008, against the Cleveland Indians, striking out two in an inning pitched. Romo was designated for assignment on August 6, and was eventually sent to the minors, but was recalled on August 16, 2008. He played winter baseball with the Mexicali Eagles of the Mexican Pacific League. In nine relief appearances, Romo made six of seven attempted saves and a 2.89 ERA.[7]
Romo started the 2009 season on the disabled list, and was activated on May 30, 2009. He completed his first major league save on July 7, 2009 against the Florida Marlins. He got the last two outs of the game, both of which were via the strikeout.
In 2010, Romo was part of the San Francisco World Series team, acting as the team's primary setup man through much of the season. He gained notoriety for being one of the team's "Beards", along with closer Brian Wilson.[8] In the National League Division Series, Romo gave up three runs in two-thirds of an inning pitched, but through the National League Championship Series and World Series, he pitched 3 scoreless innings.[9]