Sergio Romo Lets Francisco Lindor Get the Best of Him

[Tom Froemming]

Sergio Romo pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning in the Twins’ 3-1 victory over Cleveland last night, but after the third out was recorded both benches emptied as Romo and Francisco Lindor got into a verbal altercation.LAST NIGHT'S GAME RECAP: Twins 3, Cleveland 1: Buxton, Jeffers Sting Bieber; Maeda Sails Through 7

 

Shortly after the game ended, I recorded my thoughts on the situation. Check out the video below and let me know what you think.

 

 

Sergio Romo has had an incredible career, and that intensity he brings to the mound probably has a lot to do with how he got here and why he’s lasted so long in the league. It also has to be difficult to turn off. As I stated in the video, however, I’m concerned Romo is going to take himself out of a number of games.

 

MLB is far less tolerant of any incidents like these in 2020. Romo is such a key piece to the bullpen, I’d hate to see him get suspended. These dust ups could also result in several of his teammates getting suspended if things escalated. There’s also always the possibility opposing teams react by throwing at Twins hitters.

 

Here’s what Rocco Baldelli had to say about the situation, via Betsy Helfand of the Pioneer Press.

 

 

Finally, I want to end this with the entire situation as it played out on TV. No, the cameras and mics don’t catch everything, but this is the most complete, uninterrupted version of what happened available at this time.

 

 

UPDATE: Sergio Romo has been issued a one-game suspension, which I'd speculate he'll likely appeal, and both Romo and Lindor were fined.

 

 

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[tarheeltwinsfan]

Think of the possible consequences of a bench clearing brawl during this pandemic.

[mikelink45]

Excellent analysis.  You are right.  Make Sergio wear earplugs - just kidding.  The intensity is going to keep growing and Romo has to grow  up and walk away.

[JDubs]

Someone needs to get Jomboy on this so we can find out what was said between these two

[jmlease1]

I suppose of the question is whether Lindor said something or if someone else did and Romo thought it was Lindor?

 

I found the whole thing a bit funny watching it live; it honestly felt like everyone just wanted to get out and move around on a crappy weather night, but Romo stayed hot in the dugout long enough that it seems hard to believe something didn't happen?

 

It's definitely an issue without fans in the stands: guys are hearing everything anyone says and chirping that never got noticed before sure seems to be coming to the fore.

[CharlieDee]

 I can see how a hot dog like Lindor could get under your skin, but we need to ignore him. Romo should just act like a professional. 

[Dantes929]

Headline is a little misleading.   Romo got a big out so I think he got the better of Lindor.  Regardless, I really can't imagine anything that could be said that would get Romo that heated.    Lindor smiles and says "I can't believe you get anyone out with that bleep".   Romo smiles back and says "you were lucky to even touch that pitch"   No reason for heat on either side.unless its one of those stupid unwritten rules that no one agrees on.

[MMMordabito]

Hopefully, Lindor will sign with an NL team other than Milwaukee, and we won't have to see him more than three or four times every three years.

[Shaitan]

Bunch of nothing. Benches cleared...then the two sides stood and talked (Sano, Gonzalez, Lindor).

 

Yes, there's some history here from the last series or two but I don't see it as a big deal at this point.

 

Flare ups happen from time to time. This was peaceful and didn't explode. Let's hope everyone moves on.

 

You can tell a serious bench clearing incident from a token one. Just watch how the Twins bullpen meanders onto the field.

[Shaitan]

Now if Rocco suddenly declared Romo today's opener...that would be different.

[Thegrin]

Good! Let them all go out on the field and have a group hug. Fuels the rivalry. Thats what we need in this antiseptic age of niceness.  lol

[Squirrel]

Eh ... hard to judge these things ... don't know what was said between them, although that really doesn't matter. Romo is an intense guy, pumped up on adrenalin, that's part of the make up. Although, he dishes it, he should learn to take it, too. But ... don't really know what's what between the two of them. Stuff like this happens in the heat of the game ... just glad it didn't result in any actual punches being thrown and calmer heads prevailed. I still find it completely idiotic to see the bullpens come running into the fray, though. Just idiotic. But ... I was actually the most impressed with Sano. The big dude just hawls up Romo and gets him out of there instantly. And, impressed that everyone seemed to go the 'settle down' route before things got out of hand. All in all, all's well that ends well, so don't know what the big deal really is.

[bird]

 

 I can see how a hot dog like Lindor could get under your skin, but we need to ignore him. Romo should just act like a professional. 

 

Not sure which one is the bigger hot dog...

[stringer bell]

Romo calls a lot of attention onto himself. I can see why he irritates opponents. As Squirrel said he needs to be able to take abuse if he calls so much attention to himself. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

How to stop a fight: put Miguel Sano between the two red asses.

[Squirrel]

How to stop a fight: put Miguel Sano between the two red asses.

You know, as I said above, very impressed with Sano’s actions in this little blip of a dust up. A few years ago people were saying some pretty horrible things about him and his intentions toward the game and I always said that he needed to mature. He has certainly turned that corner and his immediate response of getting Romo out of there and talking to Lindor ... as I said, impressed. And for me, that’s what should get attention in all of this.

[DocBauer]

I absolutely love Romo from his fire, his humor, his experience to his production. I thought he was a certainty to come back this year and was ecstatic when it happened. I want him back next year as well at this point. Love the guy.

 

But without further information/clarification, i put the onus on Romo for this little dust up. I don't know that I have EVER seen a batter do what Lindor did, basically trotting sideways/backwards down the line and chirping. Uncalled form IMO, regardless of what was being said. Run it out, and then say something if you really feel you need/want to. BUT, he seemed to be smiling and laughing the whole time. MAYBE he said something completely uncalled for. Again, we don't knkw at this point. And maybe Romo had a right/reason to bark back. But he just kept going and going and didn't seem to want to calm down. As others have well stated, you have to be able to take it if you dish it out sometimes.

 

Kudos to Sano for being the peace keeper/brick wall.

 

Honestly, I think this is a tight race in a short season with a bit of a bubble around everyone and some cabin fever setting in and that is all.

[Nine of twelve]

 

Not sure which one is the bigger hot dog...

I am. Romo by far.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Not sure which one is the bigger hot dog...

 

 

I am. Romo by far.

 

Romo's bullpen cart:

 

[Yawn Gardenhose]

I can't stand Romo. Dude acts like he's at a Metallica concert 24/7. I really hate the move where a pitcher gets out of an inning and then yells the f-word into their glove at the top of their lungs as they stalk off the mound wearing the look of death. Trevor May is famous for this too. What's especially irritating about Romo - and Rich Hill, who throws a temper tantrum that a six-year old would be jealous of every time he's taken out of the game - is that these are supposed to be the 40-year old wise-beyond-their-years cagey veterans who ostensibly are supposed to be the mentors to the young players. If your "World Series-seasoned" vets are acting like psychopaths, that wears off on the rest of the team. Not a good look. 

[Channing1964]

Well i dont wanna see em fight, However..... I am sure I am not the only one that resents their arrogance since about 2015. They are not THAT good yet they act like the '27 Yankees. From Francona to Bauer to Kluber to Lindor to Brantley to Kipnis...even back when they had Muchael Bourne. If I recall they are the longest team in the Majors since they won the Championship. Irregardless, as soon as we stepped up we knock em iff their lofty perch. Screw them! I hope we get em in the first round too. How you gonna chirp one thing at Romo? Next time i hope he shoves one of his 3 World Series rings up his arrogant A$$! If and When Francisco Lindor can say he has won three titles then he can say what he wants to Sergio Romo. Until then he should STFU.

[Channing1964]

We should all just be cool because we dont know what kind of crap Cleveland's dugout talks all game. Romo has no history of starting stuff. He finishes stuff. like last outs of World Series.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Personally, I think baseball needs a lot more Romo, Lindor, Tatis Jr, etc. to just pop off and do their thing.

 

This is a sport that has so suppressed its competitiveness that literally every aggression is taken as some affront to the sport itself.

I say, **** all of this, let the players show their mettle, talk their ****, flaunt their ability, and make baseball something that is FUN again.

I WANT Romo to talk **** to the batter he struck out. I WANT Sano to gaze and then drop his bat after humiliating the pitcher as he rounds the bases. I WANT Buxton to throw down his mitt and scream after taking away a hit.

 

I WANT baseball to be fun again and I WANT players to have fun playing this game.

[Nine of twelve]

 

Personally, I think baseball needs a lot more Romo, Lindor, Tatis Jr, etc. to just pop off and do their thing.

 

This is a sport that has so suppressed its competitiveness that literally every aggression is taken as some affront to the sport itself.

I say, **** all of this, let the players show their mettle, talk their ****, flaunt their ability, and make baseball something that is FUN again.

I WANT Romo to talk **** to the batter he struck out. I WANT Sano to gaze and then drop his bat after humiliating the pitcher as he rounds the bases. I WANT Buxton to throw down his mitt and scream after taking away a hit.

 

I WANT baseball to be fun again and I WANT players to have fun playing this game.

I enjoy the celebrating and I would enjoy it even more if I were a player. But I do not enjoy poor sportsmanship. Does Miguel Sano need to rub it in the face of the pitcher after hitting a ball 450 feet? Doesn't what he did to the ball do all the talking that needs to be done? Yes, play aggressively. Pitch inside as indicated. Test the outfielder's arm. Try to capitalize on your opponent's every mistake. But as we are seeing in the real world lack of respect leads to undesirable consequences. Your opponent is not your enemy, and in fact the player you deliberately show up this year may be your teammate next year. Remember that and treat him as such.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I enjoy the celebrating and I would enjoy it even more if I were a player. But I do not enjoy poor sportsmanship. Does Miguel Sano need to rub it in the face of the pitcher after hitting a ball 450 feet? Doesn't what he did to the ball do all the talking that needs to be done? Yes, play aggressively. Pitch inside as indicated. Test the outfielder's arm. Try to capitalize on your opponent's every mistake. But as we are seeing in the real world lack of respect leads to undesirable consequences. Your opponent is not your enemy, and in fact the player you deliberately show up this year may be your teammate next year. Remember that and treat him as such.

What you call poor sportsmanship, I call having a good time. It’s only showing up the opponent if everyone takes it too seriously.

 

Every other major sport has more exuberant celebrations than baseball and no one has a problem with it. Only baseball has a stick up its ass about this kind of thing.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Personally, I think baseball needs a lot more Romo, Lindor, Tatis Jr, etc. to just pop off and do their thing.

 

This is a sport that has so suppressed its competitiveness that literally every aggression is taken as some affront to the sport itself.

 

I say, **** all of this, let the players show their mettle, talk their ****, flaunt their ability, and make baseball something that is FUN again.

 

I WANT Romo to talk **** to the batter he struck out. I WANT Sano to gaze and then drop his bat after humiliating the pitcher as he rounds the bases. I WANT Buxton to throw down his mitt and scream after taking away a hit.

 

I WANT baseball to be fun again and I WANT players to have fun playing this game.

What about a pitcher stalking a baserunner up the first base line after the inning is over, like Friday night? Is that still fun? Or did that cross a line when the league is enforcing distancing rules?

 

Edit: I think I understand you now. You're not complaining about the suspension as others were doing, but rather you're complaining about players taking exception with each other and escalating things like on Friday night. So, Romo should yell into his glove, and Lindor should celebrate in the dugout with his teammates, and neither should feel the need to confront each other physically. Right? I can get behind that.

[Squirrel]

 

What about a pitcher stalking a baserunner up the first base line after the inning is over, like Friday night? Is that still fun? Or did that cross a line when the league is enforcing distancing rules?

 

I think the league answered that question with a 1-game suspension + a fine for Romo; and Lindor also received a fine, because it takes two to tango, and shows he was complicit.

 

That said, I still see this as a blip and an example of how things can sometimes trend in the heat of the moment with emotions and adrenaline. However, I think over all, I love Romo's spirit and antics, and the energy and intensity he brings. That has been lacking on the Twins. How many times have I seen comments such as 'The Twins just seem lethargic and lacking in desire to win' (or something like that)? Can't have it both ways. Yes, that 'fire' can sometimes get carried away, and there are means to deal with that ... everyone jumping into the fray as they did ... that's what I call idiotic and over the line. If distancing rules are to be enforced, then everyone needs to stay in the dugout and let on-field personnel handle it. if two players get 'into it' ... the respective teams don't need to escalate matters or give any credence to matters, and all come running onto the field ... that's where things get out of hand and cross the line, imo. But I don't want to see any player's joy and personality be stifled away because some of us seem to want a polite, pinkyies up, tea party ... or because opposing players might feel bad. It's a game ... you win some, you lose some ... all players need to allow for personality and not take it so personally and get over themselves. Shake it off. All imo, of course.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I think the league answered that question with a 1-game suspension + a fine for Romo; and Lindor also received a fine, because it takes two to tango, and shows he was complicit.

 

That said, I still see this as a blip and an example of how things can sometimes trend in the heat of the moment with emotions and adrenaline. However, I think over all, I love Romo's spirit and antics, and the energy and intensity he brings.

Agreed. I was just pointing out that one could like and endorse the "fun" Romo brings, while also understanding the league's stance on what happened Friday night. But re-reading it, I think I misunderstood Brock...

[Squirrel]

 

Agreed. I was just pointing out that one could like and endorse the "fun" Romo brings, while also understanding the league's stance on what happened Friday night. But re-reading it, I think I misunderstood Brock...

 

Yeah, I think he was speaking more generally answering the post he quoted.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Yeah, I think he was speaking more generally answering the post he quoted.

Yup, and I edited my post accordingly! Thanks for helping me see the error of my ways.