1978 Topps Baseball #278 - Enrique Romo

• Enrique Romo didn't get to the major leagues until he was 29 years old. Romo pitched in the Mexican League from 1966-1976. 
• In April 1977 Romo was purchased by the Seattle Mariners. Romo had a good season -- he was 8-10 with a 2.83 ERA in 58 games (3 starts) and led the Mariners with 16 saves.
• Enrique had a higher ERA (3.69) in 1978, but he was 11-7 with 10 saves in 56 appearances.
• After the 1978 season Romo was traded (with Mike Jones) to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Mario Mendoza, Odell Jones, and Rafael Vasquez. Enrique was happy to go to the Pirates.
• Romo was part of an effective bullpen for the World Champion 1979 Pirates. Enrique went 10-5 with 5 saves and had a 2.99 ERA in 84 games during the regular season. He didn't get a decision in two games in the NL Championship Series (0.00 ERA) or in two games in the World Series (3.86 ERA).
• In 1980 Romo was 5-5 with 11 saves and had a 3.27 ERA in 74 games.
• Enrique got shelled in a few games in April and May and again in September of 1981. He had the roughest season on his career (1-3, 9 saves, 4.54 ERA in 33 games).
• Romo bounced back somewhat in 1982. He had a 9-3 record with 1 save and had a 4.36 ERA in 45 games. 
• Romo didn't report to camp in 1983. The Pirates were unable to locate him, and he was placed on the voluntary retired list. Manager Chuck Tanner had fined Romo heavily toward the end of the 1982 season for breaking training. Tanner was asked if he would take a look at Romo if he were to come back and he said, "I don't want him."
• Enrique was inducted into the Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.
• 1978 Stats: 11-7, 10 saves, 3.69 ERA in 56 games
• 1978 Highlights:
• April 5 - Pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings and earned the save on opening day as the Mariners beat the Minnesota Twins 3-2.
• July 15 - Shut out the Cleveland Indians for three innings to earn his 8th win of the year. The Mariners beat the Indians 7-6.