Sergio Romo is back in the postseason. A three-time champion with the Giants, Romo is a reliever with the Twins as they look to upset the Yankees. The former All-Star spoke to NY Sports Day after Game 1 of the ALDS.
NYSD: How does this team compare to some of those San Francisco teams?
SR: Well I think tonight we kind of showed one of those characteristics in that we’re united. We’re never going to give up. A lot of those teams in the past, too, were unselfish and I think this group has that. Our lineup, since I’ve been around, our lineup has changed quite a bit and guys playing somewhat out of position at times and even pitchers throwing out of roles that aren’t accustomed roles. So it is what it is. I think there’s a lot of unselfishness that goes with that because I haven’t heard a complaint, I haven’t seen a guy be upset or bothered or have any kind of negative reaction to the moves our leaders are making. It’s a good group. We’re competitive for a reason.
NYSD: Do you tell some of your teammates about your former glory?
SR: Yeah. I’ve been asked a few questions here and there, picking the brains and the young guys. But I think I find myself being the one asking the questions because I think figuring out kind of what makes some of these guys tick is what’s going to allow me to be able to understand them and what kind of makes them click in a sense and maybe help me help them in any way that I can. At the end of the day I’m excited about being here. Why? Because this is a really, really talented group. We’re confident, we’re united, we’re unselfish and there’s a lot of fight. There’s no give up here. It’s fun to be around.
NYSD: You were in San Francisco so long, has it been weird the last year or two bouncing around a little bit?
SR: Honest, I know it’s a small percentage from those of us that get drafted and play a whole minor league career with one organization, whole big league career. I know that doesn’t happen a whole lot and at one point I really, really would’ve liked to have been a part of that small percentage but, you know, it is what it is. There are certain things we can’t control and I’m thankful for the opportunity that I have now. But I’m also just thankful for all the relationships that I’ve been able to build being in different organizations and to be around certain people that I’ve only known them from afar and then I get to know certain things like who they are and what makes them them. There’s that much respect that I’ve earned for those of us that are in the big leagues: managers, coaches, training staff, all of the staff and front office that I earned more respect for how it works being able to see the other organizations also so it’s been a blessing.
NYSD: How did this atmosphere compare to some others that you’ve been in?
SR: It’s a very nice group. There’s no barriers here. There’s a lot of Latinos here compared to other teams. There’s no barriers. There’s no language barrier, there’s no bridges, there’s no needing to patch anything up. It’s a well united group. Everyone has respect for each other. It’s a miracle because we all come from different upbringings, different places and whatnot and we think differently, we operate differently but the fact that we care enough to understand each other, that’s really cool to be around.