J.C. Romero is a former professional baseball player who played as a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on June 4, 1976, in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. Romero began his baseball career in the minor leagues in 1997, playing for the Gulf Coast Twins, a rookie-level affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.
Romero made his MLB debut on June 10, 1999, with the Twins. He played for the Twins until 2005, during which he established himself as a reliable relief pitcher. In 2006, Romero signed with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, where he played for one season before being traded to the Boston Red Sox in 2007.
Romero's stint with the Red Sox was short-lived, as he was released in August 2007. He then signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he played for four seasons and was a key member of the team's bullpen. Romero played a crucial role in the Phillies' 2008 World Series championship, pitching in 11 postseason games and allowing only one run in 8.2 innings.
After leaving the Phillies in 2011, Romero played for several teams, including the Washington Nationals, New York Yankees, and Baltimore Orioles. He retired from professional baseball in 2015, after playing for the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League.
Throughout his career, Romero was known for his ability to pitch effectively against left-handed batters. He finished his career with a 4.16 earned run average (ERA) and 34 saves in 680 games pitched. Romero also represented Puerto Rico in international competitions, including the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics.
However, Romero's career was not without controversy. In 2008, he was suspended for 50 games for violating MLB's drug policy after testing positive for a banned substance. Romero maintained that he had unknowingly ingested the substance through an over-the-counter supplement.
Despite the suspension, Romero continued to play in the MLB and remained a respected member of the baseball community. After retiring from professional baseball, Romero became a coach and mentor to young players, sharing his knowledge and experience with the next generation of baseball stars.
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