Episode 23: Ricky Romero

Ricky Romero played for the Titans from 2003 to 2005 and was selected 6th overall in the 2005 MLB draft. Romero would make his Major League debut with the team that drafted him, the Toronto Blue Jays on April 9th, 2009, becoming the 46th Titan to play in the Major Leagues. During his professional baseball career, Romero would pitch two opening days and was selected to the 2011 MLB All-Star game. In 2011, Romero finished 10th in the Cy Young voting, a year he went 15-11 with a 2.92 ERA and 178 strikeouts. Romero's career at Cal State Fullerton was equally impressive. He was a member of the 2004 National Championship team pitching in Game 2 vs. Tulane in the Super Regional, getting the start in Game 2 in Omaha against Miami and taking the mound in Game 1 of the championship series vs. Texas, recording the win all of those games. Romero's 30 wins in three years on Fullerton's campus ranks 8th all time. Romero's 30 wins ranks third all time behind Todd Simmons and Wes Roemer of Titan pitchers who stayed for three years. Even more remarkable is the lion's share of those 30 wins were accomplished in two years since Romero was not a weekend starter and recorded three wins his Freshman year in limited innings. His 311 strikeouts ranks 7th all time and fifth among three year players. With an impressive resume and awards that included the 2005 Big West Pitcher of the Year, Collegiate baseball, Baseball America and NCBWA All-America honors along with being a 2004 Team USA member, Romero headlined the 2005 MLB draft for the Titans. That draft class included a total of 14 Titans selected, the largest draft class that still stands today. In our conversation we discuss what has occupied his time since officially retiring from professional baseball on News Year's Eve 2018, the recruiting process out of high school and how he ended up at Cal State Fullerton, we review each of his three years on Fullerton's campus, what draft day was like for him in 2005 and Ricky even answers a few questions submitted by Titan Baseball fans from social media.▶️ Visit our website: https://www.calstateomaha.com/▶️ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CalStateOmaha▶️ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calstateomaha/▶️ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calstateomaha/▶️ Follow Ricky Romero on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickyro24/▶️ Follow Ricky Romero on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ricky_Ro24▶️ Listen to the Let's Go Ricky Ro! with Beto Duran Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-go-ricky-ro-with-beto-duran/id1456272916▶️ Suggest a guest: [email protected]