Sergio Romo’s Storybook Ending to an Accomplished Career

Sergio Romo’s final outing was the storybook ending that warmed the hearts of not just fans of the San Francisco Giants but all of Major League Baseball. 

Romo, at the age of 40, took the rubber for one final time Monday evening during the Giants’ spring training game against the Oakland Athletics, sealing his 15-year career in the MLB. 

Romo had emerged from the bullpen playing his traditional walk song El Mechón in the seventh inning during Monday’s contest. With the MLB’s new pitch clock, after taking a few seconds to gather himself, Romo only had 45 seconds for his warm-up throws. Romo’s outing only consisted of 11 pitches, two of which were called balls by umpire Nic Lentz due to taking too long to warm up.

When Romo was taken out of the game Monday night, instead of Manager Gabe Kapler taking the ball from the reliever, Romo’s former teammate Hunter Pence emerged from the dugout. Pence and Romo played together for the Giants from 2013-2016, both on the team that won the World Series title for the Giants in 2014.

Monday night became even more bittersweet when fans found out how Romo incorporated the MLB’s next generation of players and fans into the night. Those who had asked Romo for an autograph before Monday’s contest were also asked by the pitcher to sign his hat, which he had worn throughout the game. 

With the Giants, Romo led the team to three World Series titles in his career and also was chosen to be part of the MLB All-Star Game in 2013. Romo put up an ERA of 3.21 in his career, marking the end of his accomplished career.