Ricky Romero

Ricardo Romero Jr. (born November 6, 1984) is an American former professional baseball pitcher.

He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays.

After spending three years at Garfield High School, Romero graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in East Los Angeles.

In his senior year he was named L.A. City Section co-player of the year and Eastern League co-MVP for baseball, going (12–1) with a 0.53 ERA and 162 strikeouts for the Rough Riders.

Upon graduation, Romero attended Cal State Fullerton from 2001 to 2005.

The lefty starter helped the Titans capture a National Title in the 2004 College World Series, pitching the team into the semifinals past Miami (FL) and winning game one of the World Series against Texas.

He was also selected to the All-Tournament team for that season and played for the U.S. National Team pitching to a (3–1) record with a 1.57 ERA.

In 2005, he led Fullerton in wins (13) and the Titans returned to the World Series.

Romero was drafted by the Blue Jays as the sixth overall pick (and first pitcher selected) in the 2005 amateur entry draft.

After signing with Toronto in June of that year, with a signing bonus of $2.1 million, Romero made his professional debut for the Auburn Doubledays of the short-season A affiliated New York–Penn League.

He was promoted to the Class A Dunedin Blue Jays after that appearance.

Both 2006 and 2007 were short, injury-riddled seasons for the southpaw, with Romero suffering from shoulder and elbow problems.

Finally healthy in 2008, Romero struggled with control problems with a career high 55 walks for the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

He received a late year call up to Triple-A Syracuse and earned Player of the Week honors as a member of the Chiefs on September 1.

On March 30, 2009, Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston announced that Romero had earned one of the two open rotation spots for the 2009 MLB season.

This came after a strong 7-inning spring training outing against the Houston Astros.

On April 9, Romero made his Major League debut against Detroit, opposite Tigers rookie pitcher Rick Porcello.

The game marked the first time in MLB history that two first-round picks faced each other in their respective debuts.

Romero earned the win while surrendering two runs on seven hits over six innings in the Blue Jays' 6–2 victory.

Romero pitched strongly in his next two starts, getting a no-decision against the Minnesota Twins, and defeating the Oakland Athletics.

He had a 2–0 record and a 1.71 ERA in his first three starts, but was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 20 with a strained right oblique muscle after a violent sneeze.

The Jays, surprising many observers by holding first place for the month of April despite many injuries to their key pitchers, hoped he would be ready to return to their lineup by mid-May.

Romero was called up from Triple A Las Vegas 51's along with Casey Janssen, after a successful rehab assignment in the minor leagues to evaluate his progress.

After struggling somewhat upon his return, Romero found an outstanding run of form in late June and early July, defeating the World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies (June 26), the American League champion Tampa Bay Rays (July 1), and the perennial powerhouse New York Yankees (July 6) in three successive starts.

On July 6, Romero tied the Blue Jays rookie record for consecutive scoreless innings with 24 against the NY Yankees, before giving up a home run to Eric Hinske in the fifth inning.

Jays' manager Cito Gaston said Romero was by this time considered the team's #2 starter, behind Roy Halladay.

Romero was rumoured to be one of the leading candidates for the 2009 MLB Rookie of the Year award during the first half of the season.

Others included Chicago White Sox infielders Gordon Beckham and Jayson Nix, as well as Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Rick Porcello.

On April 13, 2010, Romero set a new career high with 12 strikeouts while allowing only two runs on one hit over eight innings in a 4–2 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

On May 15, 2010, Romero pitched his first complete game and shutout while tying a career-high 12 strikeouts in a 6–0 victory over the Texas Rangers.

On June 26, 2011, Romero got his first major league hit, a two RBI single to right field, while pitching a complete-game shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals to complete the sweep.

The five runs scored by the Jays were a welcome change for Romero, who had received two or fewer runs of support in each of his previous eight starts.

On July 10, 2011, Romero was named as a late reserve to the American League All-Star Team, just two days before the game.

He replaced injured Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester, who was replacing Seattle Mariners pitcher Félix Hernández, who, because of starting the last game before the All-Star break, was ineligible to play in the game.

Romero was named the AL Player of the Week for the week of August 1–7, 2011.

Romero set personal highs for a single season with his second shutout and fourth complete game on August 18 against the Oakland Athletics.

On September 6, Romero was named the pitcher of the month for August, after posting a record of 5–0 in 6 starts.

He led the American League in ERA (2.05) and opponents batted .160 against him, a major league low for the month.

Romero was named the opening day starter for the Blue Jays against the Cleveland Indians on April 5, 2012.

On April 11, 2012, in the fourth inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox, Romero recorded his 500th career strikeout against outfielder Darnell McDonald.