Johnny Romano
Encyclopedia
John Anthony Romano Jr. (born August 23, 1934 in Hoboken, New Jersey
) is an American
former professional
baseball
player. He played in Major League Baseball
as a catcher
for the Chicago White Sox
(1958–59, 1965–66), Cleveland Indians
(1960–64) and St. Louis Cardinals
(1967). He threw and batted right-handed. Romano was considered one of the top catchers in the American League
during the early 1960s.
in 1954
. In , while playing for the Waterloo White Hawks
, Romano hit 9 home run
s in nine consecutive games. He accumulated 38 home runs with a .321 batting average
and led the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League
with 108 runs scored
and 124 runs batted in. His 38 home runs in 1955 set a league record. Romano split the season between the Vancouver Mounties
and the Memphis Chickasaws. In , Romano played for the Indianapolis Indians
of the American Association
. The Indians' manager
was former major league All-Star catcher, Walker Cooper
, who tutored Romano and helped to greatly improve his catching skills. Romano was called up late in the 1958
season, making his major league debut with the Chicago White Sox on September 12, at the age of 23.
The White Sox' manager, Al Lopez
, was also a former major league catcher who helped Romano improve his catching skills. Playing as a backup to Sherm Lollar
in 1959
, Romano hit .294 with 5 home runs and 25 RBIs in 53 games, as the Go-Go White Sox won their first American League Pennant in 40 years. He made one plate appearance as a pinch hitter
in the 1959 World Series
as the White Sox were defeated by the Los Angeles Dodgers
in a six-game series.
Romano was traded to the Cleveland Indians on December 6, 1959 and, replaced Russ Nixon
as the Indians starting catcher. In 1960
, he produced 16 home runs and 52 runs batted in along with a .272 batting average
. He continued to improve in 1961
, hitting for a .310 batting average by mid-season to earn the starting catcher's position for the American League
in the 1961 All-Star Games (two All-Star games per year were played in and ). He ended the season with a career-high .299 batting average, eighth highest in the league, along with 21 home runs and 80 runs batted in. Romano had another good year in 1962
, hitting 13 home runs by mid-season and was selected as a reserve catcher for the American League in the 1962 All-Star Games. He ended the season with career-highs of 25 home runs and 81 runs batted in.
On May 26, 1963
, Romano fractured his little finger while making a tag
at home plate
. He tried to return to play too soon and, the injury never healed correctly and affected his batting
. Romano missed 40 games that year and his batting average would drop to .216. In 1964
, he platooned
alongside catcher Joe Azcue
, hitting .241 with 19 home runs. He was traded back to the Chicago on January 20, 1965
as, the White Sox sought more offensive production from the catcher's position.
Romano had a productive season in 1965 with the White Sox, hitting 18 home runs with a respectable .355 on base percentage
in cavernous Comiskey Park
. He also helped guide the White Sox pitching staff to finish second in the league in team earned run average
and in shutouts
as, the White Sox won 95 games to finish the season in second place behind the Minnesota Twins
. Romano followed this performance with 15 home runs and a .344 on base percentage in 1966
as the White Sox pitching staff led the league in earned run average and in shutouts.
Romano was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals where he played one final season as a backup catcher for Tim McCarver
in 1967
. He hit for a .121 batting average in 24 games for the Cardinals as they won the National League
pennant. Romano did not appear in the Cardinals' victory over the Boston Red Sox
in the 1967 World Series
and retired at the end of the year at the age of 32.
, accumulating 706 hits
in 2,767 at bats for a .255 career batting average
along with 129 home runs, 417 runs batted in and a .354 on base percentage
. A good defensive player, he ended his career with a .990 fielding percentage
. Romano led American League catchers once in baserunners caught stealing
, once in assists
and once in range factor
. At the time of his retirement, he held three team records for Indians catchers with most career home runs (91), most home runs in a season (25) and most RBI's in a season (81).
Hoboken, New Jersey
Hoboken is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population was 50,005. The city is part of the New York metropolitan area and contains Hoboken Terminal, a major transportation hub for the region...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former professional
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player. He played in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
as a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
for the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(1958–59, 1965–66), Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
(1960–64) and St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
(1967). He threw and batted right-handed. Romano was considered one of the top catchers in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
during the early 1960s.
Baseball career
Romano was signed by the Chicago White Sox as an amateur free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
in 1954
1954 Chicago White Sox season
The 1954 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 54th season in the major leagues, and its 55th season overall. They finished with a record 94-60, good enough for third place in the American League, 17 games behind the first place Cleveland Indians....
. In , while playing for the Waterloo White Hawks
Waterloo White Hawks
Based in Waterloo, Iowa, the Waterloo White Hawks were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1946 to 1956. They played in the Three-I League and were affiliated with the Chicago White Sox. They played their home games at Riverfront Stadium....
, Romano hit 9 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s in nine consecutive games. He accumulated 38 home runs with a .321 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
and led the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League
Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League
The Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League was a minor league baseball organization that operated for the better part of 60 years, mostly in those three states. It was popularly known as the Three-I League and also sometimes jokingly as the Three-Eye League....
with 108 runs scored
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
and 124 runs batted in. His 38 home runs in 1955 set a league record. Romano split the season between the Vancouver Mounties
Vancouver Mounties
The Vancouver Mounties were a high-level minor league baseball club based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Mounties played in the Pacific Coast League from 1956 through 1962 as the relocated Oakland Oaks franchise, and from 1965 through 1969 when the Dallas Rangers moved back to Canada.The...
and the Memphis Chickasaws. In , Romano played for the Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
. The Indians' manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
was former major league All-Star catcher, Walker Cooper
Walker Cooper
William Walker Cooper was an American professional baseball player. He was a catcher in Major League Baseball who played for six National League teams from 1940 to 1957...
, who tutored Romano and helped to greatly improve his catching skills. Romano was called up late in the 1958
1958 Chicago White Sox season
The 1958 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 58th season in the major leagues, and its 59th season overall. They finished with a record 82-72, good enough for second place in the American League, 10 games behind the first-place New York Yankees....
season, making his major league debut with the Chicago White Sox on September 12, at the age of 23.
The White Sox' manager, Al Lopez
Al Lopez
Alfonso Ramon "Al" Lopez was an American catcher and manager in Major League Baseball, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977....
, was also a former major league catcher who helped Romano improve his catching skills. Playing as a backup to Sherm Lollar
Sherm Lollar
John Sherman Lollar was an American professional baseball player and coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians , New York Yankees , St. Louis Browns , and the Chicago White Sox...
in 1959
1959 Chicago White Sox season
The Chicago White Sox season was the team's 59th season in the major leagues, and its 60th season overall. They finished with a record 94-60, good enough to win the American League championship, five games ahead of the second place Cleveland Indians...
, Romano hit .294 with 5 home runs and 25 RBIs in 53 games, as the Go-Go White Sox won their first American League Pennant in 40 years. He made one plate appearance as a pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
in the 1959 World Series
1959 World Series
The 1959 World Series featured the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers beating the American League champion Chicago White Sox, four games to two. It was the first pennant for the White Sox in 40 years . They would have to wait until 2005 to win another championship...
as the White Sox were defeated by the Los Angeles Dodgers
1959 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers finished in a first-place tie with the Milwaukee Braves, then won the pennant as they swept the Braves in a best-of-three playoff series. They went on to defeat the Chicago White Sox in the 1959 World Series in just their second season since leaving Brooklyn.- Offseason :*...
in a six-game series.
Romano was traded to the Cleveland Indians on December 6, 1959 and, replaced Russ Nixon
Russ Nixon
Russell Eugene Nixon is a former catcher, coach and manager in American Major League Baseball. A veteran of 55 years in professional baseball, Nixon has managed at virtually every level of the sport, from the lowest minor league to MLB assignments with the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves...
as the Indians starting catcher. In 1960
1960 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Indians' fourth place finish in the American League with a record of 76 wins and 78 losses, 21 games behind the AL Champion New York Yankees.- Offseason :...
, he produced 16 home runs and 52 runs batted in along with a .272 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
. He continued to improve in 1961
1961 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fifth in the newly expanded 10-team American League with a record of 78-83, 30½ games behind the New York Yankees.- Offseason :* December 14, 1960: 1960 MLB expansion draft...
, hitting for a .310 batting average by mid-season to earn the starting catcher's position for the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
in the 1961 All-Star Games (two All-Star games per year were played in and ). He ended the season with a career-high .299 batting average, eighth highest in the league, along with 21 home runs and 80 runs batted in. Romano had another good year in 1962
1962 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished sixth in the American League with a record of 80-82, 16 games behind the New York Yankees.- Offseason :...
, hitting 13 home runs by mid-season and was selected as a reserve catcher for the American League in the 1962 All-Star Games. He ended the season with career-highs of 25 home runs and 81 runs batted in.
On May 26, 1963
1963 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished tied for fifth in the American League with a record of 79-83, 25½ games behind the New York Yankees.- Offseason :...
, Romano fractured his little finger while making a tag
Tag out
In baseball, a tag out, sometimes just called a tag, is a play in which a baserunner is out because he is touched by the fielder's hand or glove holding a live ball while the runner is in jeopardy...
at home plate
Home Plate
Home Plate is the fifth album by Bonnie Raitt, released in 1975 .-Track listing:#"What Do You Want the Boy to Do?" – 3:19#"Good Enough" – 2:56#"Run Like a Thief" – 3:02...
. He tried to return to play too soon and, the injury never healed correctly and affected his batting
Batting (baseball)
In baseball, batting is the act of facing the opposing pitcher and trying to produce offense for one's team. A batter or hitter is a person whose turn it is to face the pitcher...
. Romano missed 40 games that year and his batting average would drop to .216. In 1964
1964 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished in a tie for sixth place in the American League with the Minnesota Twins, while winning 79 and losing 83, 20 games behind the AL champion New York Yankees.- Offseason :...
, he platooned
Platoon system
The platoon system in baseball is a method of designating two players to a single defensive position—usually one right-handed and one left-handed. Typically the right-handed half of the platoon is played on days when the opposing pitcher is left-handed and the left-handed player is played otherwise...
alongside catcher Joe Azcue
Joe Azcue
José Joaquín Azcue López is a former Cuban professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Athletics, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, California Angels and Milwaukee Brewers. Nicknamed "The Immortal Azcue", he was known for his...
, hitting .241 with 19 home runs. He was traded back to the Chicago on January 20, 1965
1965 Chicago White Sox season
The 1965 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 65th season in the major leagues, and its 66th season overall. They finished with a record 95-67, good enough for second place in the American League, 7 games behind the first-place Minnesota Twins....
as, the White Sox sought more offensive production from the catcher's position.
Romano had a productive season in 1965 with the White Sox, hitting 18 home runs with a respectable .355 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
in cavernous Comiskey Park
Comiskey Park
Comiskey Park was the ballpark in which the Chicago White Sox played from 1910 to 1990. It was built by Charles Comiskey after a design by Zachary Taylor Davis, and was the site of four World Series and more than 6,000 major league games...
. He also helped guide the White Sox pitching staff to finish second in the league in team earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
and in shutouts
Shutout (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, a shutout refers to the act by which a single pitcher pitches a complete game and does not allow the opposing team to score a run...
as, the White Sox won 95 games to finish the season in second place behind the Minnesota Twins
1965 Minnesota Twins season
The Minnesota Twins won the 1965 American League pennant with a 102-60 record. It was the team's first pennant since moving to Minnesota, and the 102 wins was a team record.- Regular season :...
. Romano followed this performance with 15 home runs and a .344 on base percentage in 1966
1966 Chicago White Sox season
The 1966 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 66th season in the major leagues, and its 67th season overall. Eddie Stanky managed the White Sox to a fourth-place finish in the American League with a record 83-79, 15 games behind the first-place Baltimore Orioles.- Opening Day lineup :*Don...
as the White Sox pitching staff led the league in earned run average and in shutouts.
Romano was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals where he played one final season as a backup catcher for Tim McCarver
Tim McCarver
James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:...
in 1967
1967 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 86th season in St. Louis, Missouri, its 76th season in the National League, and its first full season at Busch Memorial Stadium. The Cardinals went 101-60 during the season and won the NL pennant by 10½ games over the San Francisco Giants...
. He hit for a .121 batting average in 24 games for the Cardinals as they won the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
pennant. Romano did not appear in the Cardinals' victory over the Boston Red Sox
1967 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season, often referred to as The Impossible Dream, consisted of the Red Sox shocking New England and the rest of the baseball world by winning the American League Championship and reaching the World Series for the first time since 1946...
in the 1967 World Series
1967 World Series
The 1967 World Series matched the St. Louis Cardinals against the Boston Red Sox in a rematch of the 1946 World Series, with the Cardinals winning in seven games for their second championship in four years and their eighth overall...
and retired at the end of the year at the age of 32.
Career statistics
In a 10 year career, Romano played in 905 gamesGames played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
, accumulating 706 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 2,767 at bats for a .255 career batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
along with 129 home runs, 417 runs batted in and a .354 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
. A good defensive player, he ended his career with a .990 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
. Romano led American League catchers once in baserunners caught stealing
Caught stealing
In baseball, a runner is charged, and the fielders involved are credited, with a time caught stealing when the runner attempts to advance or lead off from one base to another without the ball being batted and then is tagged out by a fielder while making the attempt...
, once in assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
and once in range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
. At the time of his retirement, he held three team records for Indians catchers with most career home runs (91), most home runs in a season (25) and most RBI's in a season (81).