Romo pitched 11 seasons in Mexican baseball prior to making his major league debut for the Seattle Mariners in 1977 at the age of 29. In his rookie season, he led the Mariners with 16 saves.
In 1983, Romo failed to report to spring training, first indicating he would arrive late due to one of his children dealing with chicken pox,[2] and then later not attending at all, announcing the intention to join an unsanctioned league in Mexico.[3] Pittsburgh warned Romo that such a move would require them to fine him $500 for each day of camp that he missed;[2] ultimately, Romo remained in Mexico.[4]
Legacy
Along with his brother Vicente, Romo is a member of the Mexican Professional Baseball Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 2003.[5] In 2010, the Romo brothers had their uniform numbers retired by Yaquis de Obregón of the Mexican Winter League.[6] In 2015, Romo was announced as being part of the 2016 induction class of the Latino Baseball Hall of Fame.[7]