Pitcher J.C. Romero honored in Philadelphia for ‘Puerto Rico’s Day at the Ballpark’ event

A reliable relief pitcher who played mostly for the Twins and Phillies, J.C. Romero enjoyed a solid 14-year career that saw him play a valuable role in winning back-to-back NL pennants and the 2007 world championship for Philadelphia.

But Romero can also boast about setting a relatively unknown record: He’s the only Puerto Rico-born hurler to win two games in one World Series.

In the 2007 Fall Classic, the crafty southpaw appeared in four games and was the pitcher of record in Game 3 and the clinching Game 5, giving up just one hit while striking out four batters over 4.2 innings.

Romero’s clutch performance solidified his reputation as a go-to, late-inning  arm — he also pitched in the postseason from 2002-2004 for Minnesota.

The two World Series victories aside, Romero is most proud of the way he pitched during the heat of the pennant race in 2007 after a midseason trade to Philadelphia — Romero didn’t give up a single run in 20 September games, helping the Phils squeak by the Mets by one game for the AL East title.

“I like the pressure. I think just being Puerto Rican, that’s something that we grow with, having a thick skin and we like to be in the middle of the fire and really pitch when the game matters the most,” Romero told LatinoBaseball.com.

“And that’s something that you have to proud of and train for and prepare so when opportunities present themselves, you should be ready to compete,” added Romero.

His accomplishments as a major leaguer — and college coach — were celebrated July 23 in an on-field ceremony at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia as part of the ongoing “Puerto Rico’s Day at the Ballpark” events this season hosted by Discover Puerto Rico and produced by 21 Events, Inc.

“They invited me to go and it’s an honor to be here [where we won] a World Series in Philadelphia, and be among the Latin community and my people, the Puerto Ricans that are here,” Romero said. “It means a lot for me to … be part of this event and hopefully, I could continue to be part of this event moving forward.”

Romero, born in Rio Piedras, attended the University of Mobile in Alabama before he was drafted by the Twins, where he played for seven years before joining the Phillies. He’s currently an assistant baseball coach for his alma mater and enjoys instructing youngsters, especially pitchers.

“This will be my second full season there,” Romero said. “And I have the time to do some recruiting this year, so I’m looking forward for us to have a great season next year.”

Puerto Rico’s Day at the Ballpark events continue August 27 at the Atlanta Braves’ Truist Park, August 29 at Chicago White Sox Rate Field, and September 7 at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ PNC Park.

[Photo: J.C. Romero (center) with Haydil Rivera (l.) and Carlos Deliz (r.) of Discover Puerto Rico].