MOBILE, Ala. - Former Mobile Ram and Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher J.C. Romero has been named University of Mobile Assistant Baseball Coach, the university and athletic director Sally Shouppe officially announced on Thursday evening, Mar. 7. Romero joins interim head baseball coach Kyle Friday full-time in leading the program during the 2024 season.
Romero, originally from Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, joined the University of Mobile Baseball program in 1995 as a player, later being drafted in the 21st round of the 1997 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins. Romero made his major league debut with the Twins just two short years after during the 1999 season and proceeded to put together an impressive 14-year career in the major leagues. He played for a total of seven teams in his career, capturing the 2008 World Series Championship with the Philadelphia Phillies. He eventually retired from Major League Baseball in 2012 following his age-36 season.
"We are beyond thrilled to have J.C. back at the University of Mobile," athletic director Sally Shouppe said. "J.C. has played a very special part in the development and success of our baseball program and we look forward to seeing how he will invest in the current and future student-athletes at the university." Romero plans to assist in all areas of the baseball program at UM, while focusing heavily on the pitching aspect of the game.Â
In the past, Romero has kept ties with the baseball program at the university, donating the J.C. Romero Hitting Facility at Jacobs Field in 2011. Romero has also returned on several occasions showing support to the program, more recently in February of 2023 during a baseball alumni event. During that alumni event in an interview with University of Mobile Director of Alumni Relations Haley Haney, Romero mentioned how the University of Mobile helped shape his life. "When I came over here, I didn't speak the language. I didn't know what English was," Romero said. "This place... They embraced me here. They taught me. I came here as a kid, and I became a man here. Most importantly, I became a man of God."Â
During his major league career, J.C. Romero pitched over 650 innings, recording 526 total strikeouts. Romero logged a career ERA of 4.16, finishing with a 34-28 win-loss record on the rubber. In the 2008 World Series, the Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in five games during the best-of-seven series, with Romero finishing 2-0 in four games pitched during the Fall Classic. Romero totaled 4 2/3 innings from out of the bullpen, never allowing a run and earning the win on the mound in games three and five.
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About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
