IF Niuman Romero: Makes MLB debut
by Chuck Murr of IndiansInk.net, September 9, 2009 at 12:25am ET
Niuman Romero Profile
Niuman Romero was as surprised as anybody to be called up to the Cleveland Indians.
The 24-year-old infielder hit only .240 with one homer in 119 games combined between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus this year, but made his big-league debut Tuesday as a pinch-hitter.
Romero struck out.
"He hustled all year and deserved to get a shot," said Clippers manager Torey Lovullo, who will spend the rest of the season on the Cleveland coaching staff.
"I waited until after the final game of the year and had all the players' attention in the clubhouse," Lovullo said. "I told them all about how I appreciated their efforts and all that and then said, 'I wanted everybody here for one reason and that is to for all of you to see the look in Niuman Romero's face when I tell him right now that he's going to the major leagues.
"Well, his eyes got wide and he started to smile. Then all the other guys were cheering.
"That's the best part of my job, telling a guy he's going up."
Romero has played every spot in the infield during seven years in the Cleveland farm system since signing at age 17 in November 2002.
"He can play them all," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "We've been playing our infielders a lot. Asdrubal Cabrera, Luis Valbuena and for that matter Jhonny Peralta over at third base, too, have put in a lot of innings. Maybe we can take a look at Niuman here and there."
Romero's best season at the plate came in 2008 at Class A Kinston when he hit .296 with six of his 16 career homers, 43 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 14 attempts.
He went 13-for-18 in steal attempts this year, hitting one homer with 47 runs and 35 RBI.
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