That’s What’s Up: New Twins Pitcher Sergio Romo's Best Moments

Before we get started on this journey together, I think it’s important to tell you a little about myself. I am originally from San Francisco. I was a senior in high school when Sergio Romo won his first World Series ring. I was a sophomore in college when he recorded the final out of his second World Series and by the time he won his third World Series I was already a jaded old man working a corporate job.

I was fortunate enough to watch Sergio Romo evolve from a mid-relief pitcher to an All-Star closer and three-time World Series champion. I was there for every step along the way. I can still hear his entry music blaring through the AT&T Park speakers. There was also that one time in San Diego when he tossed me a baseball.

So yeah, I love the guy and I hope after reading this you will too. Now let’s begin that journey.

This will not be a statistical breakdown of Sergio Romo the pitcher. I covered that here. Instead this article will focus on Sergio Romo, the person. My goal is for you to get to know Romo a little better while also taking a walk with me down memory lane, and reliving some of the best moments of his career.

Fear The Beard

Our journey begins in 2010. At this time, Sergio Romo was a relative unknown. He was a 28th-round draft pick in 2005 and entering the 2010 season, he was a 27 year-old with less than 70 big league innings under his belt.

There was one distinguishable trait about him, however. And that was his beard. He and fellow bullpen teammate, Brian Wilson became a feared and bearded bullpen duo. They would later embrace the rally cry of “Fear The Beard”.

There were shirts made for this. You couldn’t walk anywhere in San Francisco without a street vendor selling you a Fear The Beard T-shirt. Concession stands in AT&T Park were selling beards.

For Halloween that year I dyed my beard black and wore a Giants jersey. It was a trend and it all started with Sergio Romo — the 27-year-old 28th-round draft pick.

Sergio Romo vs. Jay Bruce

The next stop on our journey takes us to Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 11, 2012. This was game five in a best of five NLDS between the Reds and Giants.

It was the bottom of the ninth, with one out and two on. The Giants were hanging on to a two-run lead and in stepped Jay Bruce to face Sergio Romo. The season was hanging in the balance for both teams.

Just a few years prior, Romo was labeled as a righty specialist who rarely ever faced left-handed hitters. Yet there he was, season on the line and going after a premier left-handed hitter.

Romo and Bruce would eventually be locked into an epic 12-pitch battle. Just like you would expect from any epic postseason pitcher-batter duel the count ended up full.

Finally, on the twelve pitch of the at-bat, Romo got Bruce to fly out to left field. He then struck out the next batter on seven pitches and sent the Giants to the NLCS.

Watch this epic battle here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqm-wsD2WZ4&feature=youtu.be

Sergio Romo vs Miguel Cabrera

We don’t have to travel very far to reach the next destination on our journey. This one takes place at Comerica Park in Detroit on October 28, 2012. It was the bottom of the ninth in game four of the World Series.

Sergio Romo was on the mound to close out the World Series and the last man standing in his way was none other than the future Hall of Farmer, 2012 Triple Crown winner and MVP, Miguel Cabrera.

No moment was too big for Sergio Romo. He went right after Miggy and struck him out looking on an 89 mph fastball right down the middle.

I Just Look Illegal

We have arrived at the last stop on this part of our journey. We have landed in San Francisco on October 31, 2012. What’s the occasion? It's their World Series parade and Sergio wore what was considered a controversial shirt inscribed with the worlds “I Just Look Illegal”.

Earlier that year, Romo was detained at an airport for no explainable reason. Throughout his career he had also been asked numerous times what country he’s from. So, he decided to use a tongue in cheek slogan on a shirt as a way of letting people know that he is in fact, an American, who only looks illegal.

Also, it was pretty funny.

Next we will get to know more about the lighter side of Sergio Romo.

Romobombing

Throughout his tenure with the Giants, Romo was notorious for video-bombing the dugout reporter during in-game reports. The bullpen mounds in San Francisco are in foul territory and this allows relief pitchers to be in the dugout during the game.

Any time the cameras were rolling near the dugout Sergio could be seen in the background putting on a comedy show. His acts even earned their own hashtag. #romobombing

Mi Amor

Most athletes don’t make the best actors. I suppose the phrase “stick to sports” could apply to athletes trying their hand at acting.

Romo certainly won’t be winning an Oscar any time soon but he has appeared in a handful of hilarious promotional ads.

Here is my favorite:

Thank you for taking this journey this with me. I hope you enjoyed reliving these memories as much as I did.

Now it’s time for new memories and hopefully Sergio Romo wins his fourth World Series as a member of the Minnesota Twins. If so, who knows what kind of gimmick he will have in store for us during the parade through downtown Minneapolis.